Jason Lee Lillard

Jason Lee Lillard, age 45 of Elkhart, passed away on October 20. 2023.  Jason was born October 27, 1977, to Arnold Dale Boggs and Faith Ann (Lillard) Baughman.  He was a graduate of Elkhart Central High School (Always a Blazer!!).  During his high school years, Jason worked for Lithotone of Elkhart, Indiana and following his graduation from Vincennes University with a degree in graphic design, Jason continued his career with them for several years before pursing his lifelong dream to travel the United States and visit all the cities and states he learned about during his childhood.  Jason trained in Mixed Martial Arts, specifically Jiu-Jitsu and Muay-Thai, and rose to the rank of second-degree black belt. He used his time traveling the US to train in more mixed martial arts and bring the knowledge and techniques he learned back home as an instructor.  Following his travels and training, Jason began a new job with LifePlex in Plymouth where he worked and trained until his illness (Cancer sucks!!) didn’t allow him to work and train any longer.  Exercise and fitness were always a big part of Jason’s life and he believed in the mantra “Your body is a Temple.’  Jason also imparted this philosophy on the teachers and staff at Cleveland Elementary School where he served as an exercise instructor for several years. Unfortunately, Jason’s dream to travel to Thailand and further his knowledge of the martial arts did not come to pass, as his illness kept him from doing so.

He is survived by his father, Dale Boggs and his mother, Faith Ann Baughman and her husband Thomas who cared and loved for Jason so very much, his sister Alix Kristina (Alex Torres) Baughman, stepsisters Sandra Baughman Egan, Kylee Baughman and his stepbrother Eric Baughman.  Surviving as well is his special cousin and “Big Sis” Tonya (Jimmy) Cobb and their daughter Maddie (Josh) Cobb, his furry children Roxy and Bailey and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Preceding him in death were his grandparents Farrell and Mary Lillard, Jack and Janice Kidder and Roy Boggs, his sister Niki Keeney, his stepbrother Jason Baughman, his uncle Fred McComas and his aunt Betty Lillard.

There will be a celebration of Jason’s life at a later date. Cruz Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Osceola has been entrusted with his care.

Jason will be missed by his sister whom he loved to the moon and back, his small group of close friends (Go Irish!!) and his extended family.

“Rest in heaven, my gentle, sweet kind and simple man…” Love, Mah

“Love ya brother…see ya again” Love Alix Kristina.

in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riley's Hospital for Children or the St. Jude Research Hospital. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Jason’s life, or leave a message of comfort for his family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.