Jason Richards

Jason Kalani Richards

October 1, 1993 ~ October 28, 2021

Jason Kalani Richards, our beloved partner, son, brother, uncle and friend passed away on October 28, 2021 in McLean, Virginia. He was born on October 1, 1993 in Arlington, Virginia. He graduated from McLean High School in 2012 where he was an excellent student and star athlete, holding the record for the indoor mile for many years.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in the Brazil Belo Horizonte Mission, with time spent waiting for his visa in the Baltimore Maryland Mission. He attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a degree in Environmental Science in 2017.

Jason was a remarkably good person; compassionate, smart, funny, considerate, diligent and curious. He traveled and read widely and spoke French and Portuguese. Jason was passionate about the outdoors and loved visiting National Parks. He loved sports and was an accomplished runner, hiker and rock climber. He was very creative and loved film and music. He was an adventurous eater and excellent cook. He was amazing at crossword puzzles, word games and skipping rocks.

Jason was also a fiercely loyal friend who cared deeply for others. He worked in education and coached track and cross country at McLean High School. He was encouraging, loving and gentle with the children and youth he taught and coached, quickly forming strong bonds with so many of them.

He loved his family and was very close with many members of his extended family, spending lots of time with them and building deep relationships with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. He was a devoted uncle to his niece Pippa, playing with her constantly when they were together. Jason loved his partner, Jenica, with all his heart. She was devoted to him and always supported him.

Jason is survived by his beloved partner, Jenica Woolley; his parents, Stephen and Lani Richards; his sister, Taylor, her husband Gabe and their daughter, Pippa; his brothers, Jonathan and Thomas; and his sister, Sophie.

Jason valiantly and tirelessly fought a battle with severe depression throughout his whole adult life, patiently trying countless treatments and therapies. We will be forever grateful for his constant efforts to overcome this struggle. We are grateful to all his doctors and health providers who supported, encouraged and looked after Jason as he fought this condition. We stand in awe of his constant grace, kindness and gentleness despite his pain.

We are overwhelmingly grateful for the time we have shared with Jason and our hearts break at the thought of being without him during our time on earth. We take comfort in our sure knowledge that he is in “a state of rest, a state of peace, where [he is resting] from all [his] troubles and from all care, and sorrow.” Alma 40:12. We know we will see him again and look forward to our joyous reunion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the National Park Foundation in memory of Jason at: http://give.nationalparks.org/goto/JasonRichards.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. MDT at the Ben Lomond 4th Ward Chapel, 3350 North 1050 East. Friends may visit with family from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be Friday, November 5th at the 11 a.m. at the Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden, Utah.

Following the services all are welcome to stay for an extended visit and refreshments.

For those who are unable to attend in person, a live broadcast of the service can be viewed by the clicking the link below and following the instructions:

By going to: benlomondstake.org

Click "watch stream" under the stake center building picture

Click "view" under the 4th, 5th & 10th Wards - 1050 BLDG section

Enter your last name in the box provided, and then click "continue" to watch the broadcast

A memorial service for Jason will be held in McLean, Virginia on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. EST at the McLean Stake Center, 2034 Great Falls St., Falls Church, VA 22043.

Memorial services will be available by zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/91990234136?pwd=b2hpQkxpQmI3K01RK0xqRk1oZlQ1dz09

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