Jason Seller Smith

Jason Seller Smith, age 38, was taken from us tragically on Sunday, May 30th, when a hit and run driver struck him as he was walking while on a weekend getaway to the “Old Market” area of Detroit. Jason was a loving, devoted, and proud father who, sadly, leaves behind his 14-year-old son, Jason Seller Smith Jr. (“JJ”), just one week before his 15th birthday. One only need to glance at Jason's hands to see what was most important to him. Tattooed on his right hand were the words “I gave him life” with the birth date of his son JJ, and on his left hand was written “He saves mine every day” along with the year of his son's birth. Jason and JJ lived together in an apartment in the Grand Rapids area where Jason worked for the City. He loved his job as a maintenance assistant in the Streets and Sanitation department, and was a member of the Grand Rapids Employees Independent Union (GREIU). His previous employment was with Lacks Enterprises for several years as a machine operator. Jason also previously worked in the kitchen at both Sanctuary at Saint Mary's and Covenant Village of the Great Lakes. Jason grew up in the Grand Rapids area and attended Creston High School. Health and fitness was extremely important to him, and Jason never missed a morning working out and training with his cousin at the YMCA in Grand Rapids. Yoga was Jason's passion, and he could often be spotted around town doing handstands and holding poses on top of such things as signs, play equipment and park benches. He loved unique places and cultures, and could always find the beauty in everything around him. Jason enjoyed the serenity of nature and couldn't resist a thunderstorm on the beach or a hike to a waterfall. Jason's love of adventure provided him and his son the opportunity to make lasting memories while on a trip to Costa Rica just one short month ago. A self proclaimed “foodie”, Jason was a devoted vegan forever in search of exceptional culinary experiences. He was into extreme body modification, and the beautiful artwork that covered Jason's body told the story of his journey in this life. Jason journaled every day and practiced self reflection and self improvement. He lived what he believed - gratefulness, gratitude, compassion, kindness, love and family. Everybody who met him loved him, and Jason truly loved everyone back with his whole heart and being. He seized every moment, enjoyed life to the fullest, and inspired others to do the same. “Life is but a blink”, Jason writes on his Instagram post 8/29/18, “so is death. Cherish every moment in these times.” Jason was preceded in death by his father, Seller Smith, as well as his aunts Jane (Harper) Guldi, Martha “Oletha” Harper, and uncle Chuck Harper. Jason is survived by his son, Jason “JJ”, mother Sandy Harper, sister Tasha Harper, aunts Melba (Harper) Winright, Tricia Harper, Marie Harper, and Dana (Carl) Velting, as well as numerous beloved cousins and many many friends. Jason is also survived by his adopted “second family” including his son's mother, Jennifer Curtis, and her two older children, Matthew Burbridge and Alysa Curtis, who loved Jason as a father. Included in his adopted second family are in-laws Marv and Cherie Curtis, sister-in-law Dawn (Justin) White, and brother-in-law Jeff (Sharry) Curtis, as well as nieces and nephews Jorden, Sarah, Ashley, Mark, Bryce, Renee, Sabrina, Zach, Aaron, Abi, Elias, Eve and Eliam, who all knew and dearly loved him as their “Uncle Jason”. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Morley Baptist Church in Morley, MI on Saturday, June 26 at 11am.  Address 248 N. Cass St., Morley, MI 49336. Luncheon to follow. Those who knew Jason are invited to join the facebook group “Remembering Jason Seller Smith”. Family is asking you to post pictures that you may have of you and Jason for this celebration of life page and for inclusion in the photo gallery that will be shown at Jason's memorial service. This is also a page to share good memories and to leave condolences for the family. https://www.facebook.com/groups/rememberingjasonsellersmith  In lieu of flowers, donations to a college fund set up for Jason's son, JJ, can be made through the gofundme link  https://www.gofund.me/a2bb0011  JJ's education and good grades were extremely important to Jason, and nothing would seem more appropriate at this time than to launch a college fund for his son in Jason's honor.  

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jason Seller Smith, please visit our Tree Store.