RIP – Jason Parrish (J-)

Jason Parrish – August 2, 1969 – December 31, 2012

On December 31, 2012 we all lost a friend.  That friend was Jason Parrish.  You may have never met Jason, or even heard his name, but if you owned a yo-yo he was your friend.
When it came to helping people learn to yo-yo, for Jason, there was never a task too tedious.  Creating something like an online yo-yoing glossary or an FAQ was something he genuinely enjoyed.  His love for yo-yoing drove him to teach others, and he dedicated time to creating one of the most helpful sites for beginning yo-yo players.  I can only imagine the number of people that found Jason’s website after getting their first yo-yo.

I first met Jason in the late 90s on the early web forums dedicated to yo-yoing.  He was sharp, not afraid to speak his mind, and always ready to lend a hand.  We almost immediately became friends.

Several years later I served with Jason on Board of Directors for the AYYA.  I don’t think there was ever a project that Jason turned down, but his primary focus was the AYYA Hall of Fame.  I know that my term with the AYYA was better because of Jason.  I don’t think I was alone.  Jason was a negotiator and facilitator – a calm and thoughtful leader.  Jason was a voice of reason.  I’m convinced that our hobby not only benefitted, but was forever changed by Jason’s efforts.

Three months ago Jason was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin.  In other words, the doctors didn’t know where the cancer started.  The very nature of this particular cancer made it very difficult to treat, and his life ended much too soon.

Details of a memorial service are still pending.

Safe home friend, safe home.

– Jim Pankey

 

Memorial services details have been sent to us, but they were listed as “private” so we won’t be sharing them here. However, Jason’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to: