Philip K. Jason, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and cherished friend, passed away on May 21 in the company of his family where he resided and received excellent care at Vi at Bentley Village. He will be missed by all for his caring heart, civic mindedness, keen wit, love of learning, and friendly smile. Funeral service will be held at Beth Tikvah of Naples, 1459 Pine Ridge Road, on Friday, May 24 at 11:00 am with burial immediately following at Palm Royale Cemetery in Naples.

Dr. Jason was born in New York City to Leon and Esther Jason on December 25, 1941 and was raised in New York and Maryland. He completed his undergraduate studies at The New School for Social Research in New York City, and subsequently completed a Master’s Degree at Georgetown University and a PhD at the University of Maryland. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a tenured professor at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. In retirement, he was named Professor Emeritus of the United States Naval Academy by the Department of the Navy, and proclaimed Poet Laureate Emeritus by the United States Naval Academy Department of English. 

Dr. Jason was a distinguished poet, critic, and editor with more than a hundred books, articles, and works of literary criticism to his credit, including five books of his own poetry and numerous collections focusing on war literature and on the work of Anais Nin. He was the co-author of the widely used college textbook Creative Writer’s Handbook (Prentice Hall), served as editor of Poet Lore magazine, and was a long-running book review columnist for Florida Weekly. In addition to his published writing and works, Dr. Jason served as Vice President for Administration of the Naples Press Club, President of congregation Beth Tikvah of Naples, and co-Chair of the Collier County Jewish Book Festival. He was presented by the City of Naples Mayor’s Office with lifetime membership in the Gem Society of Naples for his contributions to the community.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Ruth Jason (nee Epstein), brother Warren Jason (Los Angeles, CA), daughter Hope Jason (Lake Worth, FL) son Daniel Jason (Richmond, VA), and granddaughter Melody Bell (Greenacres, FL).

Memorial donations may be made to Congregation Beth Tikvah (https://www.bethtikvahnaples.org) or to the Avow Foundation (https://avowcares.org/ways-to-give/) 

The service honoring Philip K. Jason will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 11:00am at Beth Tikvah Conservative Syng, 1459 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL 34109.

The burial for Philip K. Jason will take place Friday, May 24, 2024, at 2:00pm, at Palm Royale Cemetery, 6790 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples, FL 34119.