Jason Kropp

Hear ye, hear ye, gather 'round to hear the tale of the gentle giant, Jason Jay Kropp, who left this world on Monday, December 8, 2025, at his home in West Fargo, ND. A time of sharing, coming together, and celebrating Jason will be held at Vertin Munson Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

The wee lad was born in the summer of 1973, July 17, 1973, to be exact, in the fair village of Carrington, North Dakota. It's one of the last times Jason would ever be called wee, as he eventually sprouted upward to a soaring 6'8" tall.

Jason lived with his parents, Paula (Petterson) Stelton and Gene Krapp, for the first two years of his life. He then moved with his mother to the bustling city (by North Dakota standards) of Wahpeton, where he resided until he set out to further his education in the metropolis of Fargo-Moorhead. But even that move could not satisfy Jason's quest for adventure, so he set out in his Hoopty for the far-off land of Georgia for a year of learning at UGA in Athens. He then returned to Fargo-Moorhead to continue honing his studies - and to become a local celebrity as Goatboy at radio station Y94.

After departing from that bardic role, Jason took on different jobs that allowed him to learn new skills and have new experiences, including a trip to Hong Kong, where he awed the locals with his massive frame (6'8", if you've forgotten). While his stature could be intimidating, one hug from the gentle giant could erase any anxiety in an instant.

Eventually, our hero - because he's absolutely the hero of this story - found a passion in creating mythic tableaus from toys and a digital camera. Through his lens, Kurt Cobain performed at the Pompeii amphitheatre, Bob Ross painted the Mona Lisa - and Bert, our beloved resident of Sesame Street, was able to find his hero within.

While our gentle giant brought great joy, he was also plagued by vicious demons - the type that tried to convince him he was never enough. But Jason's tale will not be defined by the darkness; it will be illuminated by the joy, creativity and boundless love he gave so freely, especially to his nephew and godson, Gabriel Stelton Keenan.

Jason is survived by his beloved dog, Doctor Yolanda Nefario; his mother; sister, Jenel (Matthew) Stelton-Holtmeier; brother, Jonathan Stelton; sister, Jessica Hartman; nephew, Gabriel Stelton Keenan; nieces, Shaylin and Elaina Stelton Keenan; and several aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Jackie Stelton; his grandparents, Victor and Leona Krapp and Lois and Ralph Petterson; and his soul dog and faithful companion, Rugby.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to 988lifeline.org.

Obituary submitted by Jason's loving family.