Tributes

Jason Aragorn Kingsford was born in 1989 as the first child to his parents Kent and Anijanette while his father was attending school at Ricks College in Rexburg Idaho. Jason had a love of literature and while he attended Marshall High School, he created and became the President of the high school literature club, Lords of Letters. His leadership and dedication to the written word left a lasting impact on his peers. Jason graduated from Marshall High School in 2007. From 2008 to 2010, Jason served a Spanish-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the San Diego, California mission. His time in the mission field was marked by dedication, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving others. Jason's fluency in Spanish and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life made his mission an enriching and life-changing experience. In 2016, Jason achieved a significant milestone by earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from BYU-Idaho. This accomplishment would prepare him for the field of education later in his life. He spent 2016 to 2024 working at Walmart waiting for the right job in teaching to present itself. In 2024, Jason achieved his dream job as an English teacher at IDEA Public Schools. His enthusiasm for teaching and his ability to inspire his students quickly made him a beloved figure at the school. Jason's classroom was a place of creativity, exploration, and growth, where he nurtured young minds and instilled a love for literature and learning. Throughout his life, Jason had two great loves that brought him immense joy and shaped his identity – the TV show Babylon 5 and Pokémon. He was known for his ability to quote Babylon 5 and often found comfort in the themes and stories from the series. His passion for Pokémon was equally profound, and he developed a large community of friends who shared this interest. Jason worked tirelessly to bring the game of Pokémon to both children and adults, leading weekly games at the Dragon’s Lair at Alamo Ranch. He also created and maintained one of the most popular Pokémon websites, justinbasil.com, where he shared his expertise and fostered a community of enthusiasts. Tragically, Jason's life was cut short when he passed away suddenly on July 26, 2025. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who know and love him. Jason was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Keith Kingsford and Alvie Thompson, and is survived by his mother Anijanette Thompson, father Kent Kingsford, stepmother Rebekka Kingsford, and his three sisters, Natalie Kingsford, Erin Laws, and Virginia Garza. He is also survived by his grandmothers, Ilana Thompson and Linda Hurst, his nephew Paul Charo, niece Sarah Charo, and countless aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jason's life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Mission Park Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Though his time with us was short, Jason's legacy of love, learning, and community will continue to inspire and touch the lives of many for years to come.