Jason spent his early years in Long Beach, California, and his family moved to Mount Vernon when he was 14. He was Salutatorian of his Mount Vernon Christian High School class of 1996. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in biblical studies from The Master's College, Santa Clarita, California. He returned home and enrolled at the University of Washington-Seattle where he was studying philosophy. He served as an Interim Youth Pastor for Junior High children at Emmanuel Church in Mount Vernon and during college, took a mission trip to Mongolia and spent a semester in Israel. Jason was a first degree black belt in Chung Do Kwon- Tae Kwon Do and participated in numerous outdoor activities. He and a group of friends had climbed Mount Rainier in Washington State. In January 2005, he enlisted in the United States Army. When asked why, he responded that he had seen so much suffering in the world, he thought he could alleviate some of it. After completing the One Unit Station Training, Army Basic Airborne Course and the 75th Ranger Regiment's Ranger Indoctrination Program training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in August 2005. He was on his third tour in Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Jason is survived by his parents, C. Michael and Pamela K. (Wolpert) Kessler; a brother, Mark; a sister, Katelyn; his grandmothers, H. Nadine Kessler and Betty L. Wolpert; and his fiancee, Erin Jacobson. Bio by: Sue
Jason spent his early years in Long Beach, California, and his family moved to Mount Vernon when he was 14. He was Salutatorian of his Mount Vernon Christian High School class of 1996. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in biblical studies from The Master's College, Santa Clarita, California. He returned home and enrolled at the University of Washington-Seattle where he was studying philosophy. He served as an Interim Youth Pastor for Junior High children at Emmanuel Church in Mount Vernon and during college, took a mission trip to Mongolia and spent a semester in Israel. Jason was a first degree black belt in Chung Do Kwon- Tae Kwon Do and participated in numerous outdoor activities. He and a group of friends had climbed Mount Rainier in Washington State. In January 2005, he enlisted in the United States Army. When asked why, he responded that he had seen so much suffering in the world, he thought he could alleviate some of it. After completing the One Unit Station Training, Army Basic Airborne Course and the 75th Ranger Regiment's Ranger Indoctrination Program training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in August 2005. He was on his third tour in Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Ranger Tab. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Jason is survived by his parents, C. Michael and Pamela K. (Wolpert) Kessler; a brother, Mark; a sister, Katelyn; his grandmothers, H. Nadine Kessler and Betty L. Wolpert; and his fiancee, Erin Jacobson. Bio by: Sue
