Jason Eldridge Widmer

April 14, 1924 - June 1, 2014

Jason Widmer died peacefully on Sunday, June 1, in Corvallis. He was 90.

He was born to Lydia and Dr. Joseph Widmer on April 14, 1924, in Corvallis. A graduate of the Corvallis High School Class of 1942, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Anna Dearing, on Dec. 16, 1944, at Boston's Harvard Chapel.

Before returning to Corvallis in 2006, Jason and Mary Anna had lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1955, raising three sons. Jason had a 37-year career with Chevron before retiring in 1984, concluding as manager of credit card services. He was instrumental in bringing computer and satellite technology to Chevron's service station business.

As a child, Jason was part of an acrobatic tumbling group in Corvallis. He was an eager entrepreneur, selling newspapers and running a concession stand at sports events. He was an All-State basketball player at CHS and also served as student body president.

Jason attended Oregon State College as a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member. In his freshman year, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve during World War II. He attended Harvard Business School for a year as a Midshipman Officer, and celebrated V-J Day in Hawaii en route to Kwajalein Island to serve as a Supply Officer. Following the war he returned to Harvard to complete his Master of Business Administration degree in 1947.

Jason was a loving husband and father. He intently followed the academic and athletic pursuits of his three sons, attending countless football, basketball and baseball games, while also supporting Mary Anna's generous charitable work. He loved to fish, and made numerous family camping trips to various mountain streams in California and Oregon. He was an avid do-it-yourselfer, and perpetually was engaged in home improvement projects.

He built the family's first home in Hood River after work and on weekends, with just the help of a plumber! He was an enthusiastic fan of the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and the Oregon State University sports teams. Throughout his retirement years, Jason and Mary Anna extensively traveled across six continents, but always loved returning home to close friends and family.

Jason was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mary Anna; his older brother, Clair; and sister, Shirley.

He is survived by his son Jay Widmer and grandchildren Alison, Nicholas and Peter Clair of Corvallis; and son Roger, wife Barbara and grandchildren Matthew and Carolyn, and son Lowell and wife Lydia, all of Massachusetts.

Jason will be fondly remembered for his generosity, friendliness, cheerful spirit and compassion.

The family will host a reception to remember and celebrate Jason's life from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Jay's home, 121 N.W. 28th St. in Corvallis. The home phone is 541-738-7601.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jason's honor to a charity of your choice.