Jason Christopher Shumaker

Jason Shumaker of New York City, passed away on February 16, 2026 from complications with acute myeloid leukemia. He was 55 years old. He is survived by his parents, Lew and Cathie Shumaker, his sister Tammy (Shumaker) Golden, his brother-in-law Patrick Golden; and nephews Tucker, Wyatt and Luke along with family and countless friends who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his beloved chihuahua, Nitro, who was named after the classic Six Flags Great Adventure coaster.

Jason graduated from college with a BS in Psychology from North Carolina State University and an MA in Counseling from the University of Maryland. What would follow was a successful and decades-long career consulting A-list to D-list celebrities and reality TV stars, drag queens and corporate executives. But most importantly, it was the way he treated his family, friends and colleagues that has left an indelible mark on this world.

His celebrated career included working at world-renowned companies, including NBC Universal (Oxygen Network), Viacom (MTV and Logo/VH1), Culture Trip, Verizon, Google and CRH. He left a legacy everywhere, but his time at Viacom was his most career-defining. He led communications efforts for the company’s biggest live events, including the Video Music Awards (VMAs), Movie & TV Awards and was instrumental in taking “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to global heights, leaving a lasting mark on LGBTQ+ television history. He loved his work but the colleagues he met along the way, exponentially more, and he maintained those deep bonds and close friendships throughout his life.

Jason was the incredibly fun and gracious uncle to three nephews. He was always up for whatever they wanted from dinner and a show to a cutthroat game of dominos or day at Six Flags to ride every roller coaster in the park…three times. The boys are left with a loving and lasting impression and will deeply miss the time spent together.

He was a lifelong member of American Coaster Enthusiasts and an avid horror movie fan. Not many knew he had a horror movie screenplay in the works. He was also a passionate supporter of the Arts, attending countless on- and off-Broadway productions throughout the years and recently became an investor in the London-based musical “Here and Now.” Jason was famous for his weekend walks around Manhattan, hiking in areas outside of New York City and while visiting dear friends in Los Angeles. He was a world traveler and loved going to destinations like Thailand and Australia and many, many more. A favorite recent destination of his was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico which several times also doubled as a remote work location while at Google.

Please note, if anyone wishes him a future happy heavenly birthday on social media, consider this a warning that he will haunt you.

A celebration of life will be held in New York City, followed by a Catholic mass and burial in Delaware later this spring. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the NMDP Fund, Atlantic Theater Company or a local blood bank to honor Jason’s life.

The immediate family is grateful for the exceptional doctors and staff at NYU Langone and the many relatives and friends who surrounded Jason with prayer and unwavering support over the past year.