Jason was born in West Plains, Missouri, on June 14, 1970, to Ralph and Mary Oldham. For five years he lived peacefully as an only child before his two little sisters, Meredith and Carrie, were born, forever changing his status to "big brother."

He took his job as an older brother very seriously full of love and protection, with a sprinkle of irritation and annoyance. The perfect combo. Little did he know that he would have to make room for a series of foster siblings…mostly girls as well. And he was a good big brother to them all.

Growing up in Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana gave him a broad array of experiences. He made many precious friends along the way that he loved to bring home to sample some of mama's good cooking.  It was mama's favorite thing too.

At 12, Jason gave his life to the Lord at church camp and from that day on, he steadfastly sought to be a witness and make a positive difference wherever he went. Like his daddy, he loved seeing a need and being able to do something about it. Jason's favorite saying was that you get out of life what you put into it. That was true for him in all areas of his life. One of the things he was well known for was his ability to dream big and shoot for seemingly crazy goals. His enthusiasm was very contagious, which wasn't always a positive thing. Most of Jason's friends have at least one "Jason story" where his enthusiasm swept them into a situation that sounded brilliant in the moment—but was decidedly NOT brilliant. Thankfully, his enthusiasm was matched closely by his charm…a skill that saved him often, we're certain.

He graduated from Oak Grove High School and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. After two years of playing football for the university, he decided he was better at writing about it than playing it. Thus began a flourishing career in broadcast journalism. He began with a job at WJTV, the CBS affiliate in Jackson, Mississippi, where he reported news, anchored, and shot video. From there, his career took him to the Kansas City area where he worked for an NBC affiliate, Channel 41 News.

He often said that in six years of broadcasting, the toughest news he'd had to report was to his family and friends. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at age 25. While everyone around him reacted with sadness, fear, and hopelessness, Jason's response was, "You can give it to God and say, let's get to work, or you can give up." He chose to fight all the battles that were laid before him with every bit of power he had.

It's probably why we had him as long as we did. With every surgery, MRI, chemo, radiation, poke, prod, and development of side effects, he pushed on without hardly a complaint. Not long after his diagnosis, he was quoted in an article. "Doctors were not too hopeful initially," said Oldham. "But, through my faith and strength in God, we are beating this. Cancer can be a curse if you let it. For me and my family, it has been a blessing."

It's hard to read that quote now, but that is how he lived and believed. He was thankful for the second chance to live life—even the drastically different life he had been dealt. He felt blessed to have more time with family, more Christmases (his favorite), and more of his mama's cooking. He loved getting the chance to see his sisters marry, meet his nieces, watch LSU and the Saints play football, read his bible, or listen to music.

As his family, we can't really say that his cancer diagnosis was a blessing. But we understand what he meant. For him, it was a wakeup call to remember what's truly important in life. It was a lesson he took to heart and never forgot. Even as the years of treatments and procedures took its toll on his memories, mobility, and speech. He always pushed forward, keeping God and family first. He viewed it as a chance to live instead of a life sentence, and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to have shared that life with him. We are so happy that he is now free, at peace, and at home—but he will be deeply and profoundly missed.

Jason is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Oldham. He is survived by his mother, Mary Oldham; siblings Meredith Howlin and husband Philip Howlin, Dr. Carrie Robey and husband Mark Robey; honorary brother, Billy Spataro and wife Jennifer Spataro; nieces Sydney Jeter, Taylor Robey, and Evelyn Robey. He also leaves behind a host of beloved Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

Saturday January 29, 2022, Visitation will be from 10:00 AM-Noon Service to follow at Noon A private burial will be at a later date. www.woodfinchapel.com