Jason Eugene Postlewait

Jason Postlewait, 50, died at home on Sunday, September 22, 2024, surrounded by his family after a long fight against Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Throughout the battle, his thoughts were always on his family and loved ones. “Posty” fought the good fight while trying to make everyone laugh and smile in these trying times.

Jason was a loving and caring person with a large personality that was always ready to give you a big hug and a listening ear. His love for teaching and coaching touched many in the community. He was a high-energy teacher who was passionate about his work. He loved his students and cared about each one, and he was always happy to talk to his “kids” when he saw them in the community. He was a coach in the Walla Walla valley for many years and someone who had an impact on his players on and off the field. He was a loving husband and being a father was his greatest joy, and the most important work he ever had.

Jason was born in Walla Walla, WA, in 1974 and grew up in the community his whole life, attending Assumption Elementary School and DeSales Jr. Sr. Catholic High School. He was a member of the State Champion football and baseball teams at DeSales, along with being in numerous plays and concerts for band and choir. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in History, Education, and Physical Education at Whitman College in 1996 after spending two years at Walla Walla Community College and earning an AA Degree in 1994. He married Mindy Rumiser in 2002, and they had two amazing children.

Jason started his teaching career in Dayton, Washington teaching at Blue Mountain Christian School teaching 4th through 9th grades in a one room classroom while also teaching GED classes for WWCC. He took a break from teaching and worked for Service Alternatives behavioral rehabilitation foster care before returning to teach at Walla Walla High School. He started out helping in the Special Needs room before teaching credit retrieval classes and helping students get back on track for graduation. He later moved into the History department and taught with a passion for both the subject and· the students. He left a legacy of love, caring, and laughter wherever he went, making sure that his students were taken care of and doing well in and out of the classroom.

Jason loved teaching and coaching young people his entire life. He started at the age of 16 when he was the coach for the 13-14-year-olds U.S. Bank team in Walla Walla. Jason continued his coaching after high school by coaching various sports like football, baseball, fastpitch softball, slowpitch softball, and bowling at many of the local school district Middle and High Schools. He coached at DeSales, Mcloughlin, Touchet, Dayton, College Place, and Walla Walla High Schools, as well as Pioneer Middle School. There wasn’t really an offseason for Jason when it came to coaching, and he enjoyed every minute of it, along with calling games on the radio for both DeSales Football and Wa-Hi Football on the local radio station. Jason was always going somewhere to do something for the kids. He finally volunteered his time to coach his sons’ sports as they moved up in age. He loved to watch them run around and have a great time playing on the fields he used to play on in his youth. Jason has guided many young athletes and has always advocated for youth sports and the community he grew up in and dearly loved.

He joins his aunt, Blanche Palmer(2011) in Heaven. He is missed by his family: wife, Mindy Postlewait; sons, Wyatt Postlewait and Garrett Postlewait; his brother, Mike Postlewait and his family; his sister, Theresa (Postlewait) Shissler and her family; and his parents, Alda and Harold Postlewait; along with many nieces, nephews, students, players, and friends.

Jason was a man who never knew a stranger and would always greet you with “Hello Kiddo!” He was always interested in how everyone was doing. He truly loved the people in his life and never missed an opportunity to show that he cared and loved those around him. His love of people and his light continues to shine in each person who knew him, especially his two children.

A rosary will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 6:00 PM, at Assumption Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at Assumption Catholic Church with Father Andrew O’Leary celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to Big Blue Boosters or Walla Walla High School JROTC through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.