Jason Brown

Vibrant, fun-loving, and deeply devoted to his loved ones, Jason Brown was a blessing to everyone he met. He worked hard, but he knew how to play hard, too, and his dedication to his work was unmatched. A loving father and husband, he treasured time spent with his loved ones, and a friend of Jason’s was a friend for life. Although more quiet and reserved by nature, he was a firm believer in the idea of “go big or go home.” Someone who had a heart of gold, Jason was more than willing to help others in any way he could. Life will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever cherish.

The 1980s were a time to remember. It was the age of new technology when camcorders, Atari, and the first cellular phones began to appear. E.T. phoned home, shows like Growing Pains and Knight Rider entertained us while personal computers began to make their way into our homes. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1983 when Donald and Vickie (Savage) Brown were thrilled to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Jason Scott on December 30th that year. Born in Fairview, Ohio, but raised in Sheffield, Ohio, he was the youngest of four in the Brown clan as he was raised alongside his siblings, Shannon, Robert, and Tiffany.

In many ways Jason was a young boy of his generation. He attended Loraine County Schools, which is where he met his best friend, Michael Pennington. The first day they met they pushed a snowball all the way home from school. The boys were just six or seven that day, and they went on to be lifelong friends. School wasn't really a good fit for Jason so he left after the 11th grade.

From a young age Jason was really into cars. He loved building muscle cars, especially Chevys. Over the years he fixed up both an ’84 and an ’85 Monte Carlo, and he also built small block Chevy motors and raced them at Norwalk Speedway for years from the time he was in high school. Jason’s friends were always there to support him and cheer him on from the stands, and he was even befriended by Dwayne Callahan who helped him with his cars. The two often would shoot pool and share stories together. Dwayne was also the best man at Jason’s wedding. Jason was blessed to become a father to his daughter, Gabby, and she was right there working on cars with him, too.

In everything he did, Jason worked hard. He spent much of his career working in the automotive industry, and he was also a volunteer firefighter for the Lawton Fire Department. Jason liked being part of a group while also helping people and saving property. He never missed a call, and last year he was named firefighter of the year. The year prior Jason was named as a top 10 responder. Jason also spent time working for a paint distributing company, and for the past two years he was working at Lawson Oil Company since he had moved to Lawton to assist with his mom who suffers with COPD.

Although he truly loved his work, Jason was all about the people in his life. He was thrilled to become a father, and he loved every moment that he had to spend with his daughter. Jason and Gabby not only worked on cars together, but they also raced go-karts, watched Disney movies, or just hung out together. New and exciting changes were in store for Jason when he met an intriguing woman at a party with some friends. Her name was Candace Binkley, and they quickly discovered that they shared some of the same interests. They started hanging out, and it wasn’t long before the pair became inseparable. They bought a home in North Olmsted, Ohio, and after six years they were married on June 14, 2014, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Berea, Ohio, wth Gabby as their flower girl. Candace was naturally handy as well, and this was one of the things they had in common. Together they spent many hours building a big block engine for a white Chevy S10 to race, and they were just about finished with it.

Throughout his life Jason was a man of many interests. He was a meat and potatoes guy who loved manning the grill, and he often kept busy fixing things around the house. Jason loved cutting the grass and spent numerous hours working on it to get just the perfect lines. He enjoyed classic eighties music like Eddie Money, and he also liked country as well. When it came to movies Jason preferred horror flicks, and he was a Bud Light guy who also enjoyed a rum and coke at times. His coffee was always sweet, and he often picked up a cup of half coffee, half cappuccino from the gas station. Jason was a dog lover who loved his Boston terrier, Fat Boy, and also his Boxer, Trixie, who had to be put down last year.

All who knew Jason Brown would agree that he was an amazing person to know and love. He was a hardworking man who gave everything his all. Jason was outgoing, funny, and just an all around great person who was selfless in every way. His love for his family was easy to see, and he was fully devoted to being the best that he could be in order to be the greatest blessing in the lives of all who were near. Deeply loved, Jason will never be forgotten.

Jason Scott Brown, of Lawton, died unexpectedly on July 4, 2016, in Toledo, OH. Jason’s family includes his wife, Candace (Binkley) Brown; daughter, Gabrielle “Gabby” (12yrs. old); parents: Donald Brown and Vickie (Jim) Savage-Young; siblings: Shannon Brown, Robert Brown and Tiffany (Bill) Kurtycz; in-laws, Donald and Dee Kroonvandiest and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Visit with family and friends on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson-Paw Paw, 60900 M-40; (269) 657-3870 where services will be held Saturday 11 a.m. Cremation will follow. A luncheon will be held at the Lawton Fire Department after the services. Please visit Jason’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Gabrielle’s Education Fund c/o Candace Brown. Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson-Paw Paw, 60900 M-40; (269) 657-3870.