Jason Leigh

Tech Sergeant Jason Wayne Vernon Leigh, 32, of Mountain Home, died in a traffic accident on April 10, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Funeral services were held Thursday, April 15, at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Burial with military honors was held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise. Arrangements were by Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Jason was born on Oct. 3, 1977, in Riverside, Calif. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1996 and enlisted in the US Air Force on July 2, 1996.

Jason completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, and then headed to technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, for the Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Course.

In 1997, he reported to Mountain Home AFB, as an Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief assigned to the 390th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing.

In 2001, he moved to RAP Lakenheath, United Kingdom, where he was assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as an Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief, and later Dedicated Crew Chief.

In 2005, he returned to Mountain Home holding positions as an F-15E Dedicated Crew Chief, Assistant Cannibalization Dock Chief and Repair and Reclamation Craftsman.

Jason has deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; to Al Jaber AB, Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch.

TSgt Leigh's military decorations include the following:

Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four devices, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one device and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

Jason's girls are the love of his life; they made him laugh and kept him on his toes. Jason attended every school play, function, and was involved with anything they needed. He enjoyed taking them whereever he went. Jason was proud to call them his girls. He took them camping, trips to the river, to plays and to the mall to buy girly clothes. He loved it all. His biggest thrill was teaching them to snowboard. Jason's girls enjoyed cooking for him and tickling him. Most of all they loved his hugs. Jazmyne and Anastasia were his rock and foundation, other than his God; they kept him focused during hard times.

When Jason was not with his girls he loved being on his Harley. He enjoyed being with his friends and taking the road to rallies and fundraisers. He also enjoyed racing his 1987 Blazer in the mud drags and showing off his talent. Every season had something he enjoyed. There was never a dull moment.

He was full of life, always joking and saying something profound. He kept his friends constantly laughing, they never knew what he would say next. Jason had the most beautiful smile and hearty laugh.

Jason and his brother, Brandon, were getting reacquainted; they had lived in different states until recently, when Brandon and their mother came to live with Jason. They had the last two years to get to know each other. They played games, went to hometown baseball games and watched movies together. Brandon looked up to his brother with respect and was looking forward for him to guide him in his own adventure of adulthood, including Jason teaching Brandon to snowboard this last winter and an attempt at driving a car.

Jason is survived by his daughters, Jazmyne Marie Leigh (age 11) and Anastasia Renee Leigh (age 5), his mother, Katy Marie Owens, and brother Brandon Owens, all of Mountain Home. He also is survived by his grandmother, Pat Larimer, uncle Joel, aunt Cortney, nieces Christina and Chloe, nephew Jacob, of Peoria, Ariz., uncle David Owens of Garden Grove, Calif., cousins Dana Owens of N. Las Vegas, Nev., and David Jr. of San Diego, Calif., and their children.

We love you daddy, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. You have made us better people and we look forward to being with you again one day. You had a song in your heart and a skip in your step. You are loved, respected and missed. Lived to Ride - Ride to Live.