Jason Stuart Orpe

1974 - 2011

Jason Stuart Orpe passed away on March 17, 2011, at his home in Sammamish, Washington after a 2 year courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
Jason was born in Torrance, California in 1974 and graduated from West High School where he was a standout athlete earning MVP honors in football, soccer and baseball. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Montana in Biology specializing in herd management. After graduation, he moved to the Seattle area to work for Microsoft as a software design manager. During his short working career, he led three production teams, two in the US and one in India.
Jason loved the outdoors and had a passion for hiking. When he got the chance, he could often be found on the trails of the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana, or the Cascades in Washington. He was a marvelous cook who relished the chance for a cook-off or a throw down often astounding his dinner partners with a truffle sauce or caviar garnish. Jason also played chess with intensity often leading to marathon games with close friends that lasted long into the night.
Though he worked with computers, Jason was a handyman at heart. He loved working with tools and always had a house project to work on. He installed his own hardwood floors and with the help of his father, Howard, and nephew, Rhys, designed and built a huge backyard redwood deck.
Jason loved to travel making his way to the South Pacific, France, Germany, Austria, and Britain. He really enjoyed spending time in England with relatives over a pint at the Wheatsheaf Pub in Buckingham or rambling through the woods near Maids Moreton.
Jason is survived by his wife, Ulrike and son, Jonas, 3 years old; his father and mother, Howard and Carole; brothers, Andrew and Colin; nephews, Rhys and Sean; nieces, Penelope and Cailyn. Jason was a brave and remarkable man who will live long in the memories of those who knew him for the humor, intelligence and strength that he shared with us during his life. He recorded his inspirational journey with ALS in his blog at friendsofjasonorpe.org/blog.
Jason's family would like to thank all the support that he received over the past two years, especially from those who helped organize or attended the MOJO Festival and the support from family and friends in the UK. A Celebration of Life will be held in Torrance on April 2, 2011 at the Doubletree Inn from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.