Dr. Jason Perry Farese, 41, died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, along with his beloved wife, Dr. Lea Farese in a plane crash in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while traveling back to Oxford from a dental conference. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, at 3 p.m. at Oxford-University United Methodist Church with the Rev. Eddie Rester and the Rev. Chris McAllily officiating. A private family interment will follow in St. Peter’s Memorial Columbarium. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 1 p.m. in the Activities Center at the church. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Born on Oct. 3, 1974, Jason was a native of Ashland and graduate of Marshall Academy. He was a 1997 graduate of Vanderbilt University where he played baseball and was a team captain his senior year. He obtained his dental degree from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. He met his wife Lea while in dental school and they married in 2002. Upon graduation, Dr. Farese practiced dentistry at the North Benton County Health Center for two years. He and his wife Lea have been providing dental care for the residents of Oxford and surrounding areas since 2004 at Farese Family Dental. Dr. Farese was a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association, American Dental Implant Association, Mississippi Dental Association and the Tri-Lakes Study Club.

Dr. Farese had a passion for flying, snowboarding, playing golf and coaching little league baseball. Known by many as “Coach Jason,” baseball was a lifelong passion of his. He coached, mentored and loved a group of 10U Yalobusha Giants that are better players and young boys because of his influence. Most recently his team traveled to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and brought home the Youth Baseball National Championship.

Both Jason and Lea Farese are known throughout the Oxford community and North Mississippi for their generosity and compassion. Jason was a loving husband, son, brother and friend who left a mark on all of those with whom he came in contact.

Jason is survived by his greatest accomplishments, his three children; Luke (10), Alexa (7) and Layla (5); mother, Vivian Smith and her husband Eugene Smith of Holly Springs; father, John Booth Farese and his wife Cindy Valentine Farese of Oxford; brother, John Stannard Farese and his wife Paula Steers Farese of Oxford; nieces, Emma Reed and Ellis Farese and nephew Stannard Farese of Oxford. He has many aunts, uncles and cousins who have always played major roles in his life.

Memorial contributions in Jason’s memory may be made to Our Oxford Family Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1234, Oxford, MS 38655, which has been established to benefit his children.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit our website at www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.