Jason Lee Koller

Jason Lee Koller was born on April 28th, 1968, in Oregon City, OR to George and Nancy Koller.


He attended Milwaukie High School through his junior year and graduated from Portland's Jefferson High School in 1986.


Jason worked for Sentry Market, Mike's Drive-In (where he loved making off-menu milkshakes for his friends and family), Regional Operations Manager at Smith's Home Furnishings, Manager at Target, Manager at Best Buy, co-owner of Jason and Mike's Auto Wholesale, and Regional Car Buyer for Pick-n-Pull.


Jason had four great loves in his life: pets, anything with wheels, Jesus, and his family (not necessarily in that order).


There wasn't an animal Jason didn't love, this was a trait he inherited from his mother Nancy. His first pet was a worm that he kept in a giant cardboard box. It didn't last very long but there would be many more beloved pets throughout the years. The most recent was a Great Pyrenees puppy the family adopted in September.


Jason loved anything and everything with wheels. He loved his Big Wheel, Hot Wheels, BMX bikes, roller skating at South Skate, and then of course cars. Big brother Michael (8 years his elder) would go cruising up and down 82nd Street with his friends and little brother Jason had to duck down in the back seat so the girls wouldn't see him. His love affair with cars was awe-inspiring and he has passed this love on to his son. He has photo albums filled with more cars than we can count that he has fixed up over the years. He could fix anything. He loved co-owning a car lot and working for Pick-n-Pull. He was able to do something he was passionate about for a living and never planned to retire. What a blessing.


Jason loved Jesus. He gave his life to the Lord as a young adult, was baptized, and never looked back. He was very active and involved in church - young adult groups, Bible studies, leading youth group, and helping with Sunday school. His relationship with the Lord was raw and real. He was not afraid to show emotion and talk to God like he really knew Him ... because he did. Jason will be home for CHRISTmas this year with his Heavenly Father.


Jason loved his family. He and Kari were set up by a mutual friend and met on a blind date on Friday, December 13th, 1996 and have been together ever since. They were married on August 15th, 1998 and have two amazing children - JJ (age 18) and Kennedy (age 16). If you knew Jason, you knew about his children. He was so proud of them and loved them so much; they never doubted how much he loved them. He took such good care of them and they always knew he would do anything for them. He was their provider, defender, and fixer of all things. He will be greatly missed!


Jason is survived by his wife, Kari Ann Koller; son, Jason Lee Koller, Jr. (JJ); daughter, Kennedy Noelle Koller; his brother, Michael Koller; and three nieces and four nephews.

A memorial service for Jason will be held in Gladstone, OR early next year.


Please share your memories of Jason on the Tribute Wall above! His wife and kids would greatly appreciate your memories and know it would be healing for them as they travel this long, difficult journey of living without him.