Jason R. Mize

JR was born on August 7, 1973, to Larry Wayne and Beth Diane Mize in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was raised in nearby Lebanon, Indiana. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1991, where he played varsity golf and finished 12th in the state championship his senior year. He attended Purdue University, where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, and graduated in 1996. After college, he was recruited by Square D Company as an application engineer, bringing him to Charlotte, which became home.

JR had a gift for making life more fun. He was genuinely kind, compassionate, patient, and caring. Wonderfully random and a little goofy, he was always up for a good laugh and a good time. He was full of joy, always positive, observant in a way that made people feel seen, had a knack for asking unexpected questions, laughing at himself, celebrating life and making the most out of every day.

JR loved his friends, his neighborhood, TFA, a good IPA, bourbon of any kind, a cocktail made by someone else, golf, Golf Hoggs, Brew Hoggs, poker nights, “Thirstday” Thursdays, Friday night lights, Sunday Fundays, Panthers football, football in general, March Madness, The Majors (especially The Masters), beach trips, tubing, Tybee time, watching music videos at max volume, looking at menus, eating out, the 4th of July, and his family. His favorite things in life were anything with his wife, Gretchen, and his son, Beckett.

Beckett describes his dad in three words: uplifting, positive, and observant. He will remember his dad’s laugh, his smile, and, most of all, the way JR made everyone around him feel so loved. He will be remembered for so many things because he was memorable in so many ways.

In honor of JR, please, hold your loved ones tighter, love unconditionally, look for the best in people, find joy in ordinary moments, cherish Sunday Fundays, make people laugh, play your music loud, live every day like it’s your last, dream today like you will live forever, stay strong and keep fighting.

JR is survived by his beloved wife, Gretchen Strawser Mize; his son, Beckett Mize; his parents, Larry and Beth Mize; his two sisters, Lezli Phallen (Steve) and Caron Minsley (Burke); 4 nephews, 2 nieces, 1 great nephew; Aunt Suzy; his in-laws, Larry and JoAnne Strawser; and his sister-in-law Michelle Ruby (David).

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 8451 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. A Celebration of Life will follow that evening at 6:30 p.m.

Gretchen and Beckett would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the countless friends and family members who have surrounded them with an outpouring of love, support, prayers, and generosity. A special shout-out to the girls, their neighborhood, and all of JR’s friends who continued to include him, even on the days when he wasn’t feeling his best, as those moments of friendship, connection, and normalcy lifted his spirits in ways that meant more than you will ever know. All of you were an important part of his journey and contributed to his incredible will to live and determination to keep fighting. Thank you, all, for continuing to show up and remind us that we have never been in this alone.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Main campus, Union West, and Levine Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Kniesel, Dr. Livingston, Dr. Prabhu, Dr. Jagosky, Glenna Phillips Fox, Jordan Rogers, Kendyl DuBroff, Virginia Kitchen with Palliative Care, Kayla Burke and Sean Heller on the Progressive Care Unit floor, Dr. Creighton Kellogg, Dr. Milan Shah, and Marina Sawires. The family would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the team at Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Union for the support, compassion and care in the final days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com for the Mize family.

McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel is honored to serve the family of Jason R. Mize.