Description of Jason’s Remarkable Funeral Service
Funeral services for Jason were held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thursday April 21, 2005. Visitation was from 3-7 p.m., at which time the service began.
The
family originally planned to
include some of
Jason’s
favorite music, possibly a CD of the band Monroe
Crossing. Then it was discovered that Monroe
Crossing would
be
performing nearby the next day. A few phone calls later, and
three
members of the band graciously agreed to perform live at the service!
Funeral
Program (click
to
scroll through scans)
Visitation
- Hundreds of people filed past Jason’s casket to pay their final respects. Visitors included many friends and acquaintances, most of Jason’s very large extended family, and some family friends who drove considerable distances. Former Minnesota Viking Chuck Foreman, who considered Jason a close personal friend, expressed his sincerest admiration directly to the parents.
- The mood often changed from grief to happiness as people shared stories about Jason’s many exploits and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Acoustic Guitar Performance............................... Nicholas Benham (cousin)
Jason’s
Memorabilia (click to scroll through larger images)
Service
- Gathering Music..........................“Angel Band”, “Down to the River to Pray” performed by Monroe Crossing
- Placing of Pall on the casket
- Processional Music......................“Wings of an Angel” performed by Monroe Crossing
- Prayer
- Scriptures
- Psalm 26 : 35–39
- Romans 8 : 31–39
- Psalm 121 (Read responsively)
- Eulogy Reflections (Click on Links to Read the Eulogies)
-
Steve Ray
(father) -
Brad Ray (cousin)
-
Jesse Leraas
(cousin) -
Gene Kiphuth (friend, roommate & business partner)
-
Rick Seagraves (friend) -
Nancy Commerford (Colleen’s Mother)
Colleen
Commerford
(Fiancé)- Solo Music.................................“Nearer, Still Nearer” performed by Sylvia Nelson (cousin), piano accompaniment by Alison Williams (cousin)
-
Sermon by Reverend Jim Nelson
- Congregational Hymn.................. “I Love to Tell the Story”
- The Apostles’ Creed
- Prayers
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Commendation
-
Pictorial Slide show set to “I’ll Fly Away” performed by Monroe Crossing
- Recessional Music...............................“Keep on the Sunny Side”performed by Monroe Crossing
Post Service
- Carrying out of Jason by casket bearers:
- Bradford Ray
- Jesse Leraas
- Gene Kiphuth
- Cory Wipper
- Suneco South
- Joey Wood
- Honorary casket bearers included:
- Scott Keeler
- Matthew Ray
- Eric Ray
- Rick Seagraves
- Nick Benham
- Nathan Ray
- Jason Freitag
- Cyle Paumen
- Michael Commerford
- Rather than the standard fare, refreshments were comprised of Jason’s favorite foods, including popcorn, key-lime pie, and his favorite kind of orange soda & root beer (which could only be found out of state).
Attendees
were encouraged to pick up a Jesse James Bobble
Head
Doll (created
by Jason) on their way out.
Floral arrangements
(click to scroll through larger images)
