Jason Frederick Schlotterback went home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 after a very short and heartbreaking battle with lung cancer in Ocala, Florida at the age of 47.  Jason is survived by his Father Frederick Earl Schlotterback of Fort Wayne, IN; his Mother Mary Wert Beerbower and Stepfather Roger Paul Beerbower of Waxhaw, NC; his dogs Jay-Z, Daisy May, and Jack Daniels of Waxhaw, NC and Boi (Bailey) of Ocala, FL; his Sister Jodie Schlotterback Miller, Brother-in-law David Miller, Nieces Taylor Jane and Lauren Mary (aka Milkshake) Cieslinski, Nephew Alexander James Cieslinski, Step-Nieces Alexa Judith and Aubrey Elizabeth Miller and Step-Nephew Maxwell William Miller of Fort Wayne, IN.  Jason was preceded in death by his dogs Herman T Potter and Jackie Paper; his Grandparents Harry and Virginia Schlotterback and Bert (Doc) and Jane Wert of Kendallville, IN and Step-Grandparents Owen and Alice Beerbower of Fort Wayne, IN.  

 

Jason was born on March 22, 1973 in Fort Wayne, IN to Fred and Mary Schlotterback.  Jason loved his parents more than words could ever explain and they were his rock and the wind beneath his wings.  Jason’s love of riding horses began before he could walk at his Grandpa Harry’s house.  Jason rode, trained, and showed horses in Fort Wayne, IN at his home horse barn and Hunter Hill Stables with Robin Bode and Ed Bunsold.  Jason graduated from Homestead High School in 1991.  Shortly after graduation, Jason pursued his love of riding in California.  Jason then returned home to secure a college degree in Interior Design from Purdue Fort Wayne.  With the college degree off his to-do list, Jason returned to his passion and love of horses.  The years to follow led Jason all across the USA.  Jason had the opportunity to live, ride, train, and become life-long friends with people in Fort Wayne, IN; Flagstaff, AZ; The Hamptons in Long Island, NY; West Palm Beach, FL; Charlotte, NC; Waxhaw, NC; and most recently in Ocala, FL at South Paw Ranch with his dear friends Nora (McDonald) and Jay Yaney (just to name a few).  Jason never knew a stranger and was the first to start the fun.  Jason’s friends were amazing and meant the world to him and are too many to try to name including the US Olympic Team members he interacted with.  Jason is famous for his sunglasses, flip-flops, perfect hair, contagious laughter, dance moves, whispers in the ear to his horse and rider before they went in the ring followed by Jason yelling “heels down, eyes up” and slipping them each a peppermint when they came back out.  Jason loved giving anything and anyone a knick-name, and he loved all of God’s creatures!  Jason was always “all in”! He worked hard, played hard, and would give the shirt off his back (literally) to help anyone!  Jason did not just love horses; he loved their riders and their families.  When Jason talked about his clients, it was “my kid” and he was always so proud of “his kids” progress and accomplishment.  Jason was blessed to train tons of fantastic kids and encourage them in their love of riding.  Jason’s family is eternally grateful for all the people who loved and supported Jason throughout the years and the stories that each of you have shared.    

 

Jason’s love of God was sung loud and clear, literally at the top of his lungs at times, and he was blessed to be loved by the Elevation Church.  Jason shared his love of the Lord with his friends, family, and anyone who came across his path.  Jason’s well-worn and heavily used Bible and cross were always close at hand, most recently in the dashboard of his beloved dually RAM truck “Angus”.

 

Memorial Celebrations details will be shared at a later time as the pandemic and geographical locations are presenting challenges.  Jason’s dear friends Jack and Lisa Towell have set up a Memorial Donation with the Aiken Horse Show Park.  Jason loved Aiken and spent many years riding and training there.  The Aiken Horse Show Park will work with Jason’s family to honor Jason with a Memorial based on donations that are collected (a garden, gazebo, park bench are examples of ideas that have been discussed).  If you wish to contribute, please log on to AikenHorsePark.CharityProud.org and under the Honor/Memorial Information section, be sure to select “In Memory Of” and enter Jason’s name. Jason’s Dad, Fred, is the Designated Contact for the donations: Fred Schlotterback schlottf@gmail.com (please enter his name and email in the contact information for recipient of donation acknowledgment).  If you prefer to send a donation through the mail, please note “In Memory of Jason Schlotterback” and mail to: Aiken Horse Park Foundation, P.O. Box 1951, Aiken, SC  29801.  Other ways to honor Jason would be a donation to ASPCA or the American Cancer Society in his name.  To celebrate Jason today and every day, his family asks that you do what you loved to do with Jason. Spend time with your family, ride your best ride, enjoy a fun night of dancing and entertaining, thank Jason for any encouragement he may have given you along the way and pray, pray, pray!  Jason’s family can’t thank you enough for loving him with all your hearts. And please know, the next time the wind whips past you and ruffles your hair it’s probably just the other Angels trying to keep up with Jason!