Jason Shawn Peterson

Jason Shawn Meo Peterson, age 44, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on April 28, 2024. He was born July 9, 1979, in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Jason was a beloved husband, son, brother, and friend. He was known for his wit, intelligence, and quiet heart of gold. His understated humor and perfectly timed observations brought laughter everywhere he went. Though he disliked pictures and parties, he always showed up for everyone.

An inventor at his core, Jason had a lifelong passion for technology. He excelled in the IT field and most recently worked as a Network Architect. A certified problem-solver and automation genius, Jason was everyone’s “fix-it tech guy.” One of his proudest creations was a robot named Astro—capable of dancing, delivering drinks, and making life easier—an enduring testament to Jason’s imagination and brilliance.

Outside of work, Jason loved building things, advancing home automation, helping with the backyard greenhouse, and gaming alongside his partner of 23 years, Kelly.

Jason is survived by his wife, Kelly Peterson; his mother, Catherine Meo; sister, Sierra Peterson; grandmother, Rosa Meo; uncle, Robert Meo; cousin, Robert Meo Jr.; and beloved fur babies Penny, Oliver, and Gadget.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather and role model, Vito Meo, and his best fur friend, Reeses.

In honoring Jason’s unconventional spirit, services were held in tie-dye attire.

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Words From Kelly’s Heart -

Jason and I met in January of 2001 while we were both working at Applebee’s. Jason was a cook, and I was a bartender. The first time I saw him, all I could think was, Oh my God, he is so handsome—to put it nicely. Honestly, I thought, Wow… he is so HOT!

A coworker and friend of his, Kirby, introduced us. We were both shy and had each come out of bad relationships, so we took things a little slow. Still, we clicked almost immediately.

We spent a lot of time together going on random dates—mini golf, playing pool (sometimes with friends), even batting cages once, though I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. We talked or saw each other nearly every day, and things just naturally grew from there.

Jason loved joking that he was “dating a teenager” since I was 19 and he was 21. For some reason, that always cracked him up. That was Jason—quiet, often in the background, but always ready with a funny remark or dry observation.

Eventually, we realized we were stuck with each other, so we got an apartment. I had never lived away from my family, so it was all new to me. We brought my dog, Duchess, along with us, and for the next few years we built our own little life. We lived in that apartment for about two or three years and had so much fun together.

We were avid gamers, especially online games, often sitting right next to each other while playing. One day we decided to go to the aquarium in Chattanooga. We left around noon, only to arrive and discover it was closed. So we grabbed pizza and drove the three hours back home—silly kids.

We had lots of moments like that. Some days we’d wander through Michael’s to see what we could craft or rig together for one of Jason’s wild inventions. We took trips with family and friends, building memories without even realizing it.

Jason eventually graduated from college and landed a great job in Franklin, overseeing all things IT. Not long after, we decided it was time to buy a house. By August 2008, we were official homeowners. Jason had his career, and I was working my way up into management at Applebee’s. Life felt good.

We lost Duchess during that time, which broke our hearts. A couple of months later, Jason found Reeses. He felt guilty finding another dog so soon, but Reeses reminded him of his childhood dog, Max. The two of them became best friends almost instantly—Reeses was smart, loyal, and such a good boy.

A few months later, I wanted another dog, and that’s when Penny came into our lives. Penny and Reeses were inseparable and were like peas in a pod, playing, roughhousing, and loving each other completely.

By then, we had been together nearly nine years. I took a week off from work, and while I was cooking dinner on the second-to-last day of my vacation, Jason sat at the counter and set down a small box. I asked what it was, and he told me to open it. Inside was a ring. I’d had a little to drink—vacation rules—so all I could say was, What is this?

In his quiet Jason way, he asked me to marry him.

The ring was a little big, so we immediately shut everything down, got in the car, and drove around looking for those little ring adjusters. Nothing was going to change my mind. Jason was so proud of that ring. Later he told me how he spent a whole week going back and forth to the jewelry store in Franklin before settling on that one.

We were married on October 15, 2010, at the Sumner County courthouse. We wanted something simple—no fuss, no debt. Close family came with us, and afterward we went back to our house for a BBQ with steaks, chicken, and our perfectly weird cake with its funny topper. Friends and extended family joined us to celebrate.

The following Monday, I had to leave to help open a new Applebee’s in Kentucky, so we didn’t take a honeymoon right away—but we did the next year. It wasn’t fancy, but it was ours.

In the years that followed, we settled into our home and welcomed more animals—another rescue dog, Jewels; several guinea pigs over the years; even a bearded dragon. Jason continued to grow in the IT world, earning certifications and building his expertise. I eventually became a 9-1-1 dispatcher. Those years were hard at times because we worked opposite schedules, but we pushed through together.

As the years went on we lost some family, his grandpa especially was a hard hit, and his best friend Tommy. We had some discussions over the years on what we were going to do when we were old. We joked sometimes about what would happen when we got old and who would change our diapers since we never had kids.

Eventually, I burned out in 9-1-1 and decided to go back to school. That last year was tough—school, clinicals, and trying to work full-time.

In May 2023, we lost Reeses. He was 14, and it broke both of us. By summer, Oliver came into our lives after someone posted about him on Facebook. I drove down the road, picked him up, and brought him home. He’s a terrorist—a full-blown crackhead—but still a good boy who tries really hard. A DNA test revealed he’s a mix of Husky, Great Pyrenees, Springer Spaniel, and Pit Bull. Only Jason would end up with a dog like that.

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, I finally had a day off before finals week and decided to run to the grocery store. That morning was the last time I saw Jason. He left this earth that day.

Words I Still Need You to Hear

Your passing has destroyed me in ways I cannot even begin to understand. I know without question that this is a devastation that will not heal in this lifetime—or any lifetime that knows your absence.

I will never be done grieving you. I will never stop learning how to exist without you. I am endlessly grateful that you came into my life, that the universe sent you to me, and that I found you.

Thank you for the laughter. Thank you for the love.

I will love you forever, and I miss you more than words could ever say.

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Words From Sierra’s Heart -

Jason was my big brother - my only sibling - and there’s truly no one else in the world like him.

He was so smart… like freakishly smart. In school, he annoyingly never needed to try, never had to study - nothing. He was an inventor at his core, and he had such a passion for technology. For example, I wanted a laptop when I was younger, and our parents said no at the time, so Jason got a bunch of parts & built me one. He even programmed a literal robot named Astro, who could bring you drinks, dance, and make Kelly’s life easier. Kelly shared that Jason had Astro programmed to come find her every day at 5:20 PM and say, “hide your cords, hide your dog toys, hide your wife… Astro’s here,” and then Astro would do a little dance before he started to clean. When he was done, Astro would go find Jason and Kelly again, do another little dance to show he was finished, and Jason would proudly clap for him. It was a daily occurrence - one of those memories that will always be held close. Astro will remain a testament to Jason’s talent for innovation.

He was a genius with technology - always finding solutions to any issue at hand – and gosh…his eyes would light up when he was doing it. He became everyone’s “fix-it tech guy” …family, friends, everyone. He excelled in the IT world, almost too smart for whatever job he had. A couple years ago for Mom’s birthday, Mom, Grammita, and I went to a place called Paddywax to make candles, and Jason was working there doing his thing. The person helping us said, “Oh, you know that tech guy?” We said “Yes!” with no context, and he goes, “He doesn’t talk much, but he’s always fixing things like lightning fast. It’s wild.”

That’s our Jason.

He wasn’t one for the spotlight and would very much prefer to hang in the background, but when he did speak up, he had a way of making everyone in the room laugh. He was known for making understated observations in a nonchalant or smart-ass manner. He was the family member that would say what others were thinking, but in the most chill way.

That’s our Jason.

His sense of humor and love for pranks brightened all of us. Bianca said it best - his love language was “teasing people.” He loved it. But teasing with that golden heart. He especially loved pranking his wife and his sister. I remember he used to put my Barbies & stuffed animals on top of the ceiling fan so when I turned it on, they’d go flying. One year for Christmas, my dream item was an iPad. Jason wrapped a box in a box in a box, and inside was an iPad box… and inside that was an eye pad - a pad you put over your eye. He was very proud of that one….

& then one time he sprayed silly string all over me while I was sleeping. I tried to get him back, but I didn’t know you had to shake the can first, so instead I just stained his shirt. After he got mad, I ran to my room crying, and I remember Jason coming in and telling me it was okay - that I had just started a tie-dye shirt for him - just so I would feel better.

That’s our Jason.

Even after he has passed, it feels like he’s still playing tricks. When we were putting together photos for the slideshow, they wouldn’t save in the right format even though we knew we were doing it correctly, and we joked it was him. Just recently, Mom was getting her nails done “Jason-like” in his honor and was looking at the obituary, asking him for a sign that he was okay. Out of nowhere, the chair she was sitting in BROKE, and she fell on the ground right then and there.

While the nail techs were asking if she was okay, she just laughed and said, “loud and clear, Jason.”

Jason was 15 when I was born, so for a long time we didn’t have much in common. He was already an adult when I was little. He didn’t have to be around if he didn’t want to be. Although (to be clear) he was notttt a fan of all the dance recitals and parties for everything under the sun, he came to everything. Everything. Not just for me, but for everyone. He always showed up.

Looking back at live photos now - the little video clips - you can see how much he secretly loved being there.

That’s our Jason.

And when looking at pictures, he especially lit up with anything involving Kelly. He met her when she was 19, so she was part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. One crystal clear fact is Jason loved Kelly more than anything in the world.

And his momma. And his grandma and role model grandpa.

We’re going to miss him at every party, every monumental event. We’re going to miss his jokes, his tech expertise, and his genuine heart.

That’s our Jason.

I’m especially going to miss holding on to him in a bear hug – saying I love youuuuu - before he gives in, rolls his eyes, gives me that Jason smirk, and says “fine, you too Ceece”.

That’s my Jason.

One of the hardest things to process is that he was in a good place when he passed. But mom’s friend shared something that brought a different perspective - that “there is something beautiful in knowing someone left this world while they were in a good place. What peace for the soul”.

He passed far too early, but in God’s perfect timing. And now, he’s in a better place.

Our Grandpa Vito was Jason’s role model. We know in our hearts Jason would have wanted his final resting place to be nowhere else than next to him. It brings a sense of comfort knowing they are together again. With Reeses and Little Bear.

There will never be another Jason.

But our Jason…he will always be with us.

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From Mama’s Heart — Two Years Later

Two years have passed, and instead of easing, the pain has deepened. I love you so much and wish you were here—I’d force a hug on you if I could.

The week after you died, the Northern Lights appeared all over the world. I knew in my heart it was your sign. You always knew how much I loved them.

Since you left, I struggle through IT problems every day on my own—and I know you’re smiling, especially when it involves a password I can’t remember or one you forgot to save in the manager you set up for me.

When I miss you most, I turn on the little space guy that projects constellations—the best final Christmas gift you ever gave me.

I ask constantly for signs, for reassurance that you are moving closer to God. I was comforted to hear from Rulo the director of the Basillo Scientific School in Tampa, after inquiries from the spirit world that you are in the good. He said several other beings helped him upon his passing. He will continue to evolve towards God. I am sure your grandfather & best friend Tommy were there to greet you & help you through the transition. I wish we could have had more time!

Until the day we meet again, thank you for every memory.

We love you endlessly.