Jason Spencer

It brings me great sadness to share with everyone the passing of Jason Spencer — affectionately known as J Bird, J Dog, Jay, Ridge, Biggs and the Original J.

Jason had a personality that could break down walls and bring even the most unlikely people together. From a young age, everyone wanted to be around him; everyone wanted to be doing what he was doing. When he started skateboarding, all his friends picked up skateboards too. When he began freestyle rapping at a party, the room would go quiet to hear him — and then light up as others joined in. If there was a guitar or piano nearby, Jason would find it and play. 

Jason was an extremely talented musician. He could pick up almost any instrument and find a rhythm. Whether he was rapping, strumming a guitar, or improvising something soulful on a piano, music just poured out of him. It was one of the purest expressions of who he was — creative, bold, and full of heart. 

When we were kids, we were never without something to do when Jason was around. Whether we were building contraptions likely to maim or seriously hurt one of us, using those machines to bomb hills, exploring storm drain pipes, or wrapped up in some wild fantasy — Jason always knew what to do. He brought imagination and action to every day. Jason never lacked for friends. His natural charm made sure he was always surrounded by people who cared about him. For many years, he was more than a brother — he was a true friend and someone I admired deeply.

Though Jason had immense charisma, he also carried a lot of pain. The later years of his life were difficult, but I believe he has finally found peace. I’m hoping J’s out there somewhere, having an awesome jam with our other brother Evan, Uncle Roy, and Uncle Perry. 

And in this moment, I choose not to remember him during the hard years, but to remember the laughter, the music, the talent, and the magnetic energy that made him the Original J. 

Jason Spencer is survived by his wife, Valentina; his daughter, Olivia; his mothers, Susan and Kelly; his fathers, Merrill and Frank; his sisters, Harmoni, Mariya, Emma, and Noah; and his brothers, Nathan, Zion, and Frank.