Obituary: Jeffrey Van Son

Jeffrey Van Son, 41, of Winter Park, Fla., died peacefully on June 15, 2012, surrounded by the love of his family. Born Jan. 22, 1971, to Helen and George Van Son, Jeff grew up in Ithaca, N.Y. with his two sisters.

Jeff had a passion for nature that grew out of his time exploring the dramatic countryside of Upstate New York and playing in the salty waters of Rye Beach, N.H. Throughout his youth he actively participated in a variety of team sports. Jeff’s strong leadership skills were recognized early on with the honors of Eagle Scout and Outstanding Youth Citizen of the Year.

After graduating from Ithaca High School, Jeff received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics and biology from Ithaca College in 1993. Out of his strong work ethic and commitment to environmental responsibility, Jeff began his career in the emerging recycling business for Waste Management in Chicago. SAP America recognized Jeff’s gifts of leadership, system logistics and team development, and recruited him as a consultant for a variety of industries in Boston.

During these Boston years, Jeff enjoyed the company of a special group of friends, “The Boston Family,” and met his future wife Michele (Walker).

Although professionally successful, Jeff never lived to work — he worked to really live. Whether running the 1998 Boston Marathon, playing pick-up basketball, snowboarding in Colorado, or cooking for friends, Jeff was rarely seen without his Boston Red Sox hat.

Shortly after their wedding in Winter Park, Jeff took a sabbatical from SAP to obtain his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland. During their graduate work, Jeff and Michele enjoyed living with the women of the ΑΧΩ sorority as their House Parents. In 2005, after resuming his career at SAP, Jeff and Michele moved to Winter Park for the births of their twin sons and soon after, a daughter. Jeff’s leadership, practical faith and love of community made him a valued member of the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park. During his illness, Jeff’s tremendous courage and strength was nurtured by the love and support of his family and friends. With grateful hearts, we acknowledge the extraordinary medical professionals and caregivers who counseled us and gave him comfort.

With a desire to help others, Jeff donated his brain to the Mayo Clinic for medical research. Jeff is survived by his wife of 10 years, Michele Walker Van Son, and their children, Joshua (7), Nicholas (7) and Lillian (5), who will greatly miss his love and devotion. His family includes Helen and George (parents) of Maitland; Elizabeth (sister) and David Mathus, with his nephews, James (9) and William (6) of New York, N.Y.; and Catherine (sister) and Sean Roark with his niece Madeline (1) of Hughesville, Md. Also surviving Jeff are the William (Bill) Walker II family of Winter Park, the Crane and Van Son families, and the countless friends and colleagues whose lives have been forever changed.

A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, 125 N. Interlachen Ave., at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 7. In lieu of flowers, Jeff’s family asks you to join them in supporting The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at theaftd.org