Jason Ernest Tordale

May 8, 1966 - June 19, 2024

Jason’s early childhood was spent on the Fairfield Bench attending the rural school of Greenfield until moving to Conrad MT the end of his 5th grade school year. He attended the rest of his elementary, junior high and high school years in Conrad, graduating High School in 1984. As a young child he was involved in 4-H raising sheep and cattle. He was active in FFA and various other organizations throughout the years. He worked various jobs during high school years. After graduating high school, he went to Concordia College in Moorehead, MN for a semester, returning to the Conrad area and then working various jobs to include for his Uncle Benny in Shelby, MT at Pennington’s; and eventually transferring to MSU Bozeman where he graduated in June 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He then pursued his dream of becoming a veterinarian (as was his love for animals) by attending WSU (Washington State University) receiving his Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science in August of 1993 and his Dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from OSU (Oregon State University) May of 1997 and from WSU (Washington State University) December of 1997. He then went on to receive his Masters in Master of Health Policy and Administration in May 2016 from WSU (Washington State University).

In June of 2011 Jason was involved in a car accident near the Montana/Idaho border which left him to be a quadriplegic. At the time of his accident, he was working as a Veterinarian for the USDA. Although Jasons life as he knew it was forever changed, he never ever gave up. Jason accepted this challenge with dignity and determination.  Four days after his accident, he told his mom that during the night he saw clearly two paths. He could take one he called the “low road” where he could be angry and bitter with God and the world. The other, the “high road” where he could choose to fill his life with joy. He chose the “high road”. He worked very hard to stay as independent as possible and to make the best of his life forward.   Jason had many obstacles throughout his life but always overcame them to the best of his ability. He was bound and determined to walk again, hopefully on this Earth, but if not, he was going to walk and dance in front of the Lord on the golden streets of Heaven. Jason told his mom many years before his accident that he had found you gain good friends by being a good friend; therefore, our Jason’s life overflowed with friends wherever he was. He always tried to help others in need. Which eventually led him to obtaining his Certificate of Ordination to All Churches and Christians Everywhere in June 2017. Jason was a man of deep faith with the Lord, he loved life but he was not afraid of death!

November of 2019 Cathy Chambers came into Jason’s life when she answered his ad for a caretaker position. Little did they both know that they would bond and develop a friendship that would eventually lead them to a life of love and commitment. They were married on June 11 of 2022 in Spokane, Washington. They shared many travels to Montana and other various places. They were active in their church and always participating in functions. They were each other’s rock and even though they were married for a short time they made the best of their time together.

Jason had Lymphoma Cancer twice within a three-year period, receiving chemotherapy both times. He most recently spent time in Seattle at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center for T-Cell Therapy that was eventually cancelled due to his lack of lung capacity from being a quadriplegic. Jason faced another obstacle but chose to deal with this positively and to give it his best fight. Just when we all thought he was going to get through this, the Good Lord had another plan. Jason never gave up, but we believe his body was overcome with infection.

Jason is survived by his wife, Cathy, parents Ernie and Karen Tordale, sister Charla (Dennis) Rearden and stepchildren: Jessi Rowe, and daughter Natalia Vallad, Jennifer (Tim) Gimp; children Charlee and Tre; Jasmin (Matthew) Shackelford, Justin (Claire) Fauth and son Asher, and Jake (Kim) Fauth Josiah, Jenna and Clover.  Nieces, Kelly (Jason) Carroll, Delaney “Laney” (Ian) McIntosh, Nephews, Derek (Jen) VandenBos and Darin (Christi) VandenBos. Twelve great nieces and nephews and too many cousins, aunts and uncles to mention.

Jason was preceded in death by both maternal and paternal grandparents and cousin Brian Graf.

Jason, we love you and will greatly miss you. We know you are walking and dancing on the golden streets of heaven with our Lord, and you are forever pain free – fly high!