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David Jaros Obituary

JAROS, David Crandall David ("Dave") Crandall Jaros passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at the age of 49 in Sydney, Australia after a valiant yet tragically short battle with gastric cancer. As a dear friend described him, Dave was truly all of the best things that someone could be, but the two roles that mattered to him most were those of adoring husband and partner to wife Kristen, and doting and fiercely proud father to his three children, Georgia, Bennett, and Rex. Dave was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on December 8, 1968. Before he was three years old, Dave's family moved across the globe to the island of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, where his father was a contractor for the Department of Defense. Dave graduated from Kwajalein High School in 1987 and set his sights on attending a top university, gaining admission to the University of California at Berkeley. At Cal, Dave became an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and a devoted fan of the Golden Bears sports teams, while still managing to earn a degree in history in 1991. His years at Cal set him on a course that would lead to a rewarding professional career and, equally importantly, connected him to many of his closest friends. After graduation from Cal, Dave worked as a management consultant in Boston before attending The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his MBA in 1997 and first met his wife Kristen. After business school, he returned to management consulting in New York, before transitioning to senior marketing roles for a variety of start-up and high-growth software companies in Dallas, San Diego, and Austin. Although Dave and Kristen were acquainted at Wharton, it wasn't until 2003 that they were reconnected through mutual friends and began dating long distance between Texas and California. They fell in love, having found in one another a similar sense of humor and inner kindheartedness, like values and views of the world, shared devotion to family and friends, and the same hopes and dreams for the future. Dave and Kristen were married on April 16, 2005 in Rancho Santa Fe, north of San Diego, and soon after moved to Austin. After having lived in several different cities, Dave finally felt at home in Austin, spending 11 wonderful years growing a family with Kristen and genuinely making a difference in the lives of the many people whom he met. In December 2016, Dave, Kristen, and the kids left the comfort of their Austin home to pursue a long-time dream to take the family overseas as Dave became chief marketing officer of Siteminder, Inc., based in Sydney. They settled in Manly, a beachside suburb north of Sydney, and began making the most of their new home, enjoying numerous outings in and around Sydney and taking memorable family vacations to the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, and beautiful beaches up and down the coast of Australia within their first year. While Dave's life was short, his presence was big. He was driven to succeed, but he didn't take himself too seriously. He was finely attuned to details but didn't worry about trivial things. He took a chance on people - especially those who worked with him, because others had taken a chance on him throughout his lifetime. He was fun, funny, and always up for anything. He had no pretense or agenda; he was real with a quiet strength. People were drawn to him because he was easy to be with; he would find common ground, build others up and make them feel special, never asking for any spotlight in return. He was a true friend and partner. Dave leaves behind a legacy of family and friends who adored him. He is survived by his wife, Kristen Wilcox Jaros, and their children Georgia, Bennett, and Rex; his father Bill Jaros of Newburyport, Massachusetts; brother Pete Jaros, wife Natalie, and children Adelaide and Oakleigh of Brooklyn, New York; and sister Jen Kelley, husband Steve, and children Lana, Leo, and Paige of Acton, Massachusetts. He is preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Crandall Tancayo. To honor Dave's commitment to public education and the numerous ways in which his own opportunity to attend Cal influenced his life, the family has established the David Jaros Memorial Scholarship https://give.berkeley.edu/egiving/index.cfm?fund=FW8627000 with the hope that others might similarly benefit from attending this institution, while also becoming lifelong supporters of the Golden Bears. Kristen and her children wish to thank the many friends and family members in the U.S. and in Australia who have generously given their love and support during these recent challenging months. They will be forever grateful.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Jun. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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Danielle Foley

June 18, 2018

Dear Kristen and family,
My heart breaks to hear this news. Though I only had the privilege of meeting Dave at your wedding, I could tell what a wonderful person he was. Your love for each other was so evident. Wishing you so much strength during this difficult time. I am thinking of you and sending you lots of love.

Elizabeth Fox

June 18, 2018

This obituary is beautifully written and accurately sums up the man that Dave was. I am heartbroken for Kristen, the kids and his whole family and hope you will use your wide network of friends to support you through this tough time. Sending all my love.

Bill and Bernadette Jaros

June 15, 2018

Words can not express how heartbroken we are over the lose of our beloved David. He was a kind, compassionate and a special son and stepson. He will live in our hearts forever.
Bill and Bernadette Jaros

Kathy Crandall

June 13, 2018

The Crandall Tomasulo family will miss Dave a great deal. He had such a warm and fun loving spirit, that long after his time at Cal with cousins Mike and Steve, they remained in close contact. There are few college friends that stay this close over the years and this speaks to the joy that Dave engendered in otheres. We all wish Kristin and the children the best in this time of grief.

June 13, 2018

SO sorry to hear about your loss. Please find comfort in Matthew 6:9 - Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth. We look forward to seeing God's will on earth, seeing David again in a paradise earth. Our condolences.

Abby and Casey Ford

June 13, 2018

David was a joyful and loving father of 3 that we both really loved seeing in action. From pre school to Casis we were in the daily grind together and never saw him without a smile. The Jaros Austin Family of Friends loved him dearly and we for sure feel lucky to have been in the crazy world of raising kids together. We miss you David and Jaros Family

Chip Rives

June 13, 2018

I'll always miss your smile, wisdom and positive energy.

Angie Goertz

June 13, 2018

I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. Dave will be truly missed and I will include you all in my daily prayers. I will never forget his kindness. May God give him eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to hold forever in your hearts. My condolences.

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