In Memoriam: Jason Ward (1969 - 2019)

I remember when I first came to this forum, Jason very kindly accepted me into this family almost right away. He was a wonderful person to talk and converse with and his enthusiasm for Doctor Who was infectious. He was also someone who, while not aware of it, was a bit of a guiding rock, as he was someone who had openly talked about his atheism and helped me be comfortable with my own, in this case, non-belief. And when I was graciously accepted as a moderator, he along with Ela and Elka, very kindly took the time out of their days to show us the ropes. The courage we saw from him on a daily basis as he dealt with his illness was incredible and inspiring, and I feel that I was lucky enough to be apart of somewhere that hopefully helped him in times of trouble. And finally, I raise a virtual, as well as a real glass, toast in your honour, and shall listen to an audio in your name.

Knowing it was coming doesn't make this easier, but I am grateful that his pain has ended and that he is at peace now.

I admire his bravery in soldiering on through these last few months, and the courage it must have taken to share his tribulations with us at the DU forums--without once losing his cool on anyone here. A lesser person wouldn't have had it in them.

My deepest condolences and best wishes to Jason's family and loved ones.

Sad news. RIP mate.

Behind the scenes on the Moderator side of things he was a great sounding post. Direct and to the point, never mean, factual but fair. My view was he didn't mince his words, he meant what he said and he said what he meant.

Vale Jason Ward.

@-,-/---

Any time he contacted me privately he was the soul of loveliness and direct thought, even when we disagreed on things. He'll be missed.

Even in the worst excesses of his illness, he was always striving to do what was best for the community.

He never complained, never howled, he bore every terrible thing with dignity. He never succumbed to fear.

Jason Ward will be treasured, celebrated and missed.

I've tried to write a comment a few times now. Jason never seemed to me to be fishing for sympathy here, rather just straight out reporting on a rather horrible state of reality.

Now, I think maybe I was trying to front-load the news of his passing when I (as mentioned elsewhere) must have dreamed about learning that he had passed and was trying to come to terms with it, only to wake up, go online and find he was still soldiering on.

The other night at work, we learned that an older co-worker whose wife was battling illness for some time now, lost her. I did not know her personally, but it immediately made me think of Jason, whom I also never met in person, but certainly knew as per the running of this Forum, and whom I had not heard from in many days. I think the two combined at that time in that I knew he was also gone, which ends up being the case.

Jason and I were not friends, and as Moderators we often clashed in the early days of the forum.

His forthright views and strong sense of justice meant he always came up with an angle we hadn't thought of in Mod discussions, forcing us to reevaluate everything we did as a Mod Team, ultimately helping the forum become a better place for everyone.

He never dressed things up, or pandered to convention but "said it as he saw it". He never shied away from discussion but you always knew where you were with him. He wasn't a Saint and he had faults (as do we all), but he was what I class "a genuine person".

When he messaged me about returning to Modhood a year ago, it was during a difficult time for me and one where forum Mods were a bit "thin on the ground". His return enabled me to step away from the forum so I could deal with my own demons, without feeling guilt. He never knew, but I am forever grateful for that.

The Eleventh Doctor said "We're all just stories in the end, just make it a good one". I don't know if Jason's story was a good one, but I know he touched many lives in various ways, so that means something...

Rest easy Jason ... job done.

Jason & I clashed frequently on the old forum two strong opinionated people passionate about Doctor Who from our Chris Eccleston rants to me strongly wanted Benedict Cumberbatch as the Twelfth Doctor & Jason didn't.

As many of you might recall we both received a month's ban due to a particular fiery debate about mental illness which got out of hand, i remember calling him a arrogant dickhead & he called me a lunatic (about sums me up).

However over time we both mellowed & struck up a mutual respect for each other & when Jason discussed his diagnosis he showed his true heart of a man of strength & courage as he battled through the pain, he posting updates about his illness despite the horrendous pain he was in.

He showed his true soul of a man faced with such tragedy of a illness he couldn't overcome but instead of being consumed with self loathing like many of us would he handled the situation with courageous dignity up to the very end.

Jason Ward has gone to a better place but he'll never truly be dead because we will remember him, he was strongly opinionated, at times damm right irritating with his level headed common sense but over time he earned my respect of a man of good moral values & principles & i ended up enjoying our discussions, i hope he found comfort & support from us in his final days.

My condolences to his family & friends.

R.I.P buddy rest now.