Goofy, determined, loving, compassionate, best friend
Jason was funny, caring, and compassionate. He was also a wild child – the kid that took every dare. His friends looked up to him and followed his lead. Jason was impulsive and got into trouble in school. It was a huge accomplishment for him to persist to graduation. Jason then went to Orange Coast Community College, where he pursued a business degree. He eventually transferred to Cal State, Fullerton. He only had two more semesters to achieve his bachelor’s degree, but his addiction took over.
Jason was compassionate about animals and loved all board sports. He could be found skimboarding, skateboarding, or snowboarding. Jason also loved camping, dirt biking, riding motorcycles, and partying. He was inventive and wanted the autonomy of having his own business. Jason lived a full life, always saying, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” He was always “on a mission”– a tattoo that two of Jason’s friends got after his passing.
Jason’s parents split up when he was six weeks old. He went back and forth between his parents until he was eleven, then stayed with his mother. He went on medication for ADD but often went off the meds as he preferred being his goofy, hyperactive self and making people laugh. Jason and his mom were close, talking three to five times a day. He told her most everything, but not that he was using drugs. About a year into his addiction, he told his mom he was addicted to OxyContin.
Jason sought help, even selling his dirt bike to finance treatment. He went into treatment three times, once for six months. But every time he came out he used drugs the next day. He lost motivation. “The last three years of Jason’s life, drugs overtook him,” his mom stated. “It wasn’t him.” Jason was a successful pool cleaner while in college. He wanted to start his own pool business, but his addiction impeded his plans. “When he didn’t have money, he was depressed,” Britt said. “He thought of himself as a ladies’ man. He wanted to have money, dress well, drive nice cars and attract women.”
Jason had two younger sisters on his dad’s side and was close to them when he lived with his dad for five years. He spent some time at his dad’s house on Lake Pillsbury, boating, camping, and riding dirt bikes. Jason and his mom had breakfast together every Saturday. He always ordered waffles with extra whipped cream and strawberries.
“We are all better for knowing him,” his mom said. “Everyone calls him their best friend. I miss him calling me and texting that he loved me.” It has been eleven years since Jason’s death and Britt is still trying to figure out how to live without him. She said, “I just can’t find any joy. I still can’t believe that he is gone.”
“Everything I do is for him,” Britt said. “His dad, too. He takes Jason’s ashes everywhere he goes around the world and spreads them.” She added, “Talking about him makes me feel good. He is my favorite subject. I want people to know who he was. I don’t want him to just disappear like he never existed.”
Jason’s mother, Britt Rosenmayr, provided the information for this narrative.
September 20, 1985-September 18, 2010
Age 24-Lived with the disease of addiction for three years.
