Jeffrey Gleason, a pre-business sophomore, was found dead early Monday morning behind the bleachers of Sun Angel Stadium. Below are letters from his family and friends.
Jeffrey Matthew Gleason, born Sept. 11, 1982, left us on March 10, 2003. Jeff was always kind, sweet, fun and so thoughtful to all of us. He has touched so many people's lives and we are so grateful for having him here with us for 20 years. Jeff made everyone feel good and was able to fill them with the love he possessed.
Jeff attended ASU on an academic scholarship and was on the Dean's List. Jeff was well known at Corona del Sol High School due to his involvement in many extra curricular activities. Jeff was captain of the varsity swim team at Corona, and was involved with the student council, the yearbook and the National Honor Society.
With a group of very close-knit friends and a wonderful family surrounding him, Jeff had what seemed like "the perfect life." This loss has caused grief and suffering for everyone who ever had the pleasure of coming in contact with Jeff, and he will be greatly missed. His twin brother, Steve, and his younger brother, David, will miss him, and so will his parents, Patrick and Cindy Gleason of Chandler.
There will never be enough words for anyone to express how important Jeff was to every life he touched. The family is grateful to be given this opportunity to express their feelings regarding this tragic experience. Below are the transcribed words of Cindy Gleason, Patrick Gleason, David Gleason and Amanda Goodman.
Cindy Gleason (mother)
Jeff was the most amazing son a mother could have. I will always remember his smile and his outstretched arms waiting for a hug from me. He would always say, "Love ya' Mom" when he would leave me. We spent a lot of time together and were really close.
We both loved Jimmy Buffett and Dave Matthews, and this past year our family went to both their concerts. He loved his two brothers, and I can't remember a bad word between them their whole lives. He enjoyed being a twin, but used to joke with his younger brother that they really were triplets because they are all about the same size and only one year apart.
Jeff looked exactly like his dad, and he loved that. Jeff loved watching movies with his dad; they both loved "Weekend at Bernie's" and "Captain Ron."
It was Jeff's dream to go to ASU. He loved it there. He was excited to be in the Theta Chi fraternity, which he pledged last spring. He told me, "Mom, these are really great guys. They are the kind of guys I know I could be friends with forever."
Our family is grateful to the fraternity for doing the vigils for Jeff. It has grown to include all his wonderful friends from Corona del Sol. My family has been visiting the vigil the last three nights, and we were truly moved by all the letters, pictures, and messages. It is nice to know that so many people loved him like we did.
It is such a mystery to understand why someone chooses to take his own life. I don't believe there was any one reason why he chose this, but I want everyone to know that it was not the Jeff we knew. Please remember he was a great person that enjoyed so many things. I remember him truly happy for 99.9 percent of his life.
Patrick Gleason (father)
What can I say about my son Jeffrey, who I loved with all my heart and soul? He was so caring and always put other people's problems and concerns ahead of his own. Even though he had hemophilia (a blood disorder), he would always be positive and say, "I'll be OK, Dad; don't worry about me." He loved his brothers, Steve and David, and his mother Cindy, his favorite.
As a father who is suffering at this time, I was especially touched by the vigil held by his fraternity, Theta Chi, and his high school and college friends. They held the vigil at the site where we lost Jeff, and there were candles, flowers and loving thoughts written in chalk on the ground. It gave my wife and me a sense of peace that I will never forget the rest of my life.
David Gleason (brother)
Jeff was truly the best brother and friend anyone could ever wish for. He was so helpful, loving, kind, friendly and intelligent. My whole life I looked up to him and followed anything he did. Even if I did not really have any interest in what he was doing, I still wanted to participate in it because I knew it was the right thing to do. I knew Jeff would make anything enjoyable for me, because he always looked out for me, and he was always there for me, no matter what I did.
He loved our family so much and always did whatever he could do to help out. I remember last semester when I needed help in school, he would drop whatever he was doing and immediately help me with my homework. This brings me to his grades.
He was such an excellent student and always wanted to get the best grades - and he always got the best grades - his whole life. He was a perfect role model to anyone who knew him. He is my role model, who I will always strive to be.
Amanda Goodman (girlfriend)
I was Jeff's girlfriend for more than three wonderful years. He was the man I saw my future with. Jeff was the most loving man I ever knew. I will always remember him that way.
The Gleasons would like any donations to go to The Hemophilia Association, 4001 N. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016.
Memorial service will be held Friday, March 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Lakeshore Mortuary at1815 S. Dobson Rd. in Mesa.
Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Church, 3201 S. Evergreen Rd., Tempe. A procession to Queen of Heaven Cemetery will follow. Everyone is invited.
