Jason Graves

As we struggle to process the unimaginable loss of an amazing young man whose vibrance and adventurous spirit will live on, we all want to support and love Roger, Kathy, Kasey, Eric and Bailey. The proceeds from this fund will be used to establish a scholarship at the Teton Science Schools in Jason’s memory and to help Kasey take next steps as she begins life without Jason.

Jason loved the outdoors, and he had recently shared with Kasey his desire to figure out a way to help financially disadvantaged youth experience the Teton Science School, which is where he himself had been introduced to the beauty of the mountains and caught the hiking/climbing bug that would become his passion.

Your contribution to this fund will help ensure Jason’s vision of helping others experience the place he loved so very much.

Jason’s Obituary and Service Information

Jason Allen Graves of Grand Junction, CO, formerly of Lee’s Summit, MO was born July 28th, 1999 to Roger A. and Kathryn D. (Miller) Graves. He departed this life August 27th, 2023 after summiting Gannett Peak, Fremont County, WY.

Jason had recently left a job he enjoyed at Teton Science Schools (TSS) to start his new life with his girlfriend Kasey Ervin in Grand Junction, CO. Jason returned to Wyoming to say goodbye to a place near to his heart; sadly he fell while descending the summit. Jason was a cautious, experienced, and accomplished mountain climber, having summited 30+ 14K foot mountains in Colorado, all of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, and Mt. Hood in Oregon. Jason loved open water swimming and standup paddle boarding on mountain lakes. He especially enjoyed his group of pickup basketball friends. Jason lived a full life and gave and received joy every day.

Jason graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 2018 and attended the University of Missouri and Longview Community College. Jason participated in basketball and swimming in high school, culminating in four state swimming medals and earning All State his senior year. The spring of 2020 Jason started his mountain adventure in Estes Park then Winter Park, both in CO. He returned home for a short period before leaving for Jackson, WY and Grand Teton National Park to work at TSS. He enjoyed his time living in Colorado, Wilson, WY and Victor, ID and made friends wherever life took him. He also completed the Kansas City Marathon in October 2021.

He met Kasey (our daughter-in-law Bailey’s roommate) at MU in 2018; their friendship continued to grow after Jason left for the mountains, and they became a couple shortly after Bailey and Eric’s wedding in June 2022. Within a few weeks they made plans to start their lives together, which they had just begun when Jason passed. It was a storybook romance that we were all happy to see. Kasey was great for Jason! Our hearts break for Kasey and all she’s lost.

Jason was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Ed and Fern Graves of Strasburg, MO and his maternal grandmother Jean Miller of Lee’s Summit, MO.

He is survived by his partner Kasey Ervin, parents Roger and Kathy (Miller) Graves, brother Eric and sister-in-law Bailey of Indianapolis, IN, and many aunts, uncles and cousins who love him dearly.

After Kasey, his family, and outdoor adventures Jason loved the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. In honor of Jason, the family would like visitation and funeral attendees to wear Chiefs gear. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 6 from 5-8 p.m., and the funeral Thursday, September 7 at 10 a.m.; both will be held at Grace United Methodist Church. Another service in Jackson, WY will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Jason Graves GoFundMe, with the proceeds to be used to establish a scholarship in Jasons’s name at the Teton Science School and to help Kasey start her life without Jason.