Jason Lee Gossett

Jason Lee Gossett, also known by many as “Chief”, “Big Country”, “Skeeber”, and “Smurf”, age 44, went to his eternal home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 29, 2019.  Jason was born in Columbia, SC on March 5, 1975 and was a lifelong resident of Gilbert and Lexington, SC.  Jason was fully devoted to God, family, friends, and country all of his days.

Jason was a graduate of Gilbert High School in 1994.  Jason chose to serve his country and enlisted in the Army National Guard on January 21, 1995.  Jason served in multiple capacities in the military, always looking for opportunities for advancement and self-improvement. He began his military career with Company B, 111th Signal Battalion Unit as a 52-Delta power generation equipment repairer and was most recently promoted to Chief Warrant Officer (CW3) with 742nd Support Maintenance Company at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.  He was called into active service stateside to West Virginia and more recently, was deployed to Poland, Romania, and Germany (Operation Atlantic Resolve) in 2017.  He was awarded numerous medals and certificates throughout his 24-year career with the National Guard. 

Jason was a 919A (Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer) which supervises personnel in maintenance of engineer and ground support equipment. Supervises maintenance of non-engineer equipment, inspects incoming equipment to determine repair requirements, assigns work to subordinates, and ensures quality of work performed by inspection of outgoing equipment. Establishes maintenance and repair schedules based on equipment schedules and availability of parts, tools, personnel, and unit mission. 

As a Federal Technician, Jason started his career at Organizational Maintenance Shop (OMS) #10 as an Automotive Mechanic. Moving forward he was promoted at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) in the Fuel & Electric Section, and later became an Inspector. For further advancement, he became the Wheeled Automotive Supervisor and temporarily promoted to Shop Foreman at the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES). He was a Federal Technician for 21 years with the Department of Defense.

Jason was an avid outdoorsman that loved fishing, hunting, camping, cooking, and spending time with his family at Edisto Beach.  Many will remember him for his love for his family and friends, infectious laugh, telling jokes and stories about his younger years, beautiful smile, carefree attitude, his servant’s heart, and most importantly, his Godly wisdom.  Jason never met a stranger and he was so generous with all that he had.

Jason was an active member of Beulah United Methodist Church and held many committee positions, assisted with the youth and mission projects, and helped with VBS.  He most recently was part of the praise band, working with the sound system.

To me, Halie, my Deddy was the most important man in my life. He always made sure that I was all right. Every morning he’d come into my room and tell me “Good morning sunshine” or “Good morning princess”. Deddy always made sure that I knew that he loved me and that he’d do anything for me to help me succeed.  Every day when he came home from work he would ask me about my day, he never forgot to do that. Deddy always put himself before others, he would walk the extra mile for anyone. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d lose my Deddy at fifteen years old. God has a plan for me and my family.

To me, Hunter, my Deddy meant the world to me.  He taught me everything I know.  He’s the reason why I work for Blanchard.  Deddy was always the person I called on for any advice.  Deddy taught me what it meant to be a man and passed his love of the outdoors to me.  He also would let me learn lessons the hard way and then ask, “and what did you learn from that”.  Deddy has always been there for Halie and I and loved us unconditionally.  He taught us how to treat people and also gave us a perfect sense of humor. 

To me, Tonya, Jason was a God-fearing, prayerful, loving and caring husband and father.  You were such a selfless man whom I am going to miss dearly and I take comfort in knowing that I will see you again one day.  I also have no doubt that Jesus was standing at heaven’s gate awaiting your arrival and saying, “well done my good and faithful servant”.  God knew what he was doing when he brought you into my life and there will never be anyone else like you!  I will always love you with every beat of my heart and until then fly high and keep watch over us my love. 

Survived by his wife, Tonya Shumpert Gossett, of 22 years; son, Hunter Lee Gossett, and daughter, Halie Savannah Gossett of Lexington, SC; mother and father, Dale and Vickie Gossett of Gilbert, SC; brother, Jonathan Gossett and his son Graylon Gossett of Gilbert, SC; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Tami and Todd Hardwick and their sons, Gavin and Caleb Hardwick.  Survived also by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Predeceased by his grandparents, Lewis and Dorothy Dowd and Abraham and Erleen Gossett all of Gilbert. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Beulah United Methodist Church Building Fund, 161 Beulah Church Road, Gilbert, SC 29054 or to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517 Topeka, KS  66675-8517.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and physicians at Lexington Medical Center, MUSC of Charleston, and Agape Hospice of Lexington for caring for Jason and our family during this time.  Our family would also like to thank you each and every one for their prayers and support.  

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