Jason Furnish

Jason Matthew Furnish, 37, of Paola, Kansas died unexpectedly Friday, October 12. Jason was born December 4, 1974 in Kansas City, Kansas. He attended Paola High School and graduated in 1993. While at PHS, Jason was the first Sir Paws Panther mascot. He was proud to have lettered in cheerleading his senior year. He also painted his much loved old truck with black and gold panther paws, earning it the name of the Paola Panthermobile for the Booster Club. After graduating from PHS, he attended Johnson County Community College. At the age of 14, Jason was diagnosed with cancer of the brain and spine. After a three-year battle, he survived cancer and went on to support other cancer patients. He annually participated in the Miami County Relay for Life. In 1993, after his cancer treatment, Jason received a call from the Dolly Parton Foundation inviting him and his family to come to Tennessee where he met Dolly and was her special guest of the day. Dolly was impressed with his spirit and courage, and that relationship continued for many years. In 2001 he and his family were the featured speakers at the Relay for Life. He led the Lap of Courage for all Miami County cancer survivors. Jason and his family greatly appreciated all the love and support shown to them at that time. Jason worked for five years with children with disabilities for USD 368 and was currently employed as a Direct Support Person for Lakemary Center Adult Services. Jason was an active volunteer in Special Olympics. He was known for his loving heart and compassion for those with special needs. He also delivered pizzas for the Paola Simple Simon"s Pizza and had special customers who requested only him to deliver their pizzas. He took great pride in his job and enjoyed meeting new people. The greatest joy in his life was being a new father to his 9 month old daughter, Mikayla. He sang songs and read to her every day. He was a wonderful, fun-loving uncle to his nieces and nephews, and they all truly enjoyed spending time with Uncle Jason. His hobbies were woodworking and he loved going to garage sales. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ray and Kathryn Prentice, Paul and Zella Furnish, and Jack Watkins. A special uncle and mentor in his life, Dave Powell, also preceded him in death. Jason is survived by his beloved life partner, Michelle Ray and his daughter Mikayla of the home; his parents Glenda and Tom Watkins and Gary Furnish and Juanita Furnish all of Paola; his brothers, Joe Furnish (Kristen) of Spring Hill, Chris Watkins of Kansas City, KS, and Josh Furnish (Ashley) of Paola; and sisters, April Hopkins (Billy), of Shawnee, and Jessie Furnish, of Norman OK; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Jason was a man of great faith and will be missed every day by his loving family and many friends whose lives he has touched. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mikayla Furnish Education Fund Lighthouse Presbyterian Church Service: Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM Visitation: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM