Jason Holtzclaw spent eight years on this Earth.
Jason Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville died from complications of a rare genetic disorder.
In that brief time, he taught relatives and others to celebrate life, regardless of circumstances.
"It's a lot we can learn from children if we stop, slow down and take the time," said his mother, Rhonda Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville. "He taught us how to stop and smell the roses."
"He was our hero."
Hurler Syndrome is a rare, genetic disorder known as "the storage disease." Carriers cannot break down sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans. Sugar accumulates in vital organs and all over the body.
Typically, disease symptoms appear between the ages of 3 and 8. At 11 months, its signs were already visible in Jason, his mother said.
"We knew from the beginning," she said. "His head was much larger than his body. He wasn't walking, crawling and thriving like he should. He had no energy, no get-up-and-go."
Early in his life, all seemed hopeless. Then in 2003, the Federal Drug Administration started a trial drug infusion program to treat the disease. Fortunately, Jason got the actual drug, aldurazyme, not a placebo. It recharged Jason and gave him more moxie.
As a result he lived a kid's life the past six years. He liked to swing, swim and play with his red toy truck. He enjoyed feeding ducks at Briscoe Park.
"The drug changed his life completely," his mother said. "He went from not having such a good quality of life to loving everything."
"All in all, this medicine really did do a lot," said his grandmother, Cindy Whittle of Snellville. "We weren't supposed to have him past 3. We got to have him until he was 8 and that was awesome."
The memorial service for Jason Dean Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville is 1 p.m. Friday at Briscoe Park in Snellville. He died Monday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite from complications of Hurler Syndrome. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Snellville chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jason was a third-grader in a special needs class at Cooper Elementary School in Loganville. He was nonverbal, but had ways to express himself.
"Jason brought excitement to the classroom every day," said Fay Hunczak, his teacher. "He brought a special spark to the classroom and to his classmates. He never stopped moving."
When it came to nicknames, he had three: "Biggie Boy," "Tater," and "Sheriff Tater."
"When he was born, he was a big boy, so I always called him my sack of Idaho potatoes," his grandmother said. "Tater stuck with him forever.
"Then he became Sheriff Tater because after he got older, his hips were very bad and he didn't walk like normal children. He swung them from side to side, like in the old westerns."
Additional survivors include his father, Dean Holtzclaw of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brook Whittle of Lawrenceville; his grandfather, Steve Whittle of Snellville; and his great-grandparents, James and Montine Vowell of Loganville.
∼Jason Dean Holtzclaw was born with a genetic disorder called Hurler Syndrome and lived his life with a giant and courageous spirit! He had the most amazing sense of humor and kept everyone on their toes! Jason made a huge impact on every life he came in contact with and had an enormous desire to make everyone laugh!
On September 14, 2009 our Biggie Boy went home to play with Jesus! He was 8 years old and passed in the loving arms of his parents, Rhonda, and Dean, as well as the wonderful staff at Scottish Rite. Before passing, he resided in Lawrenceville, GA and attended Cooper Elementary. School was where Jason loved to be no matter how bad he felt, he was a firecracker with a will stronger than most! His teachers were able to teach him to leave his shoes on, but were not so successful in teaching him to complete his assignments instead of ripping them to shreds!
Aside from playing with his friends at school, Jason enjoyed feeding the ducks at the park with his sisters Haleigh and Brooke. He loved watching TV and dancing to Elmo while making his "special noise" that we will never forget!
Most of all, Jason took great pleasure in a game of chase on his truck. Sitting on the steering wheel, he would scoot around and around for hours on end. Our little Tater was an inspiration to so many, and his spirit will always be with us. Thank you Jesus for our 8 years with Jason, but watch out, there's a new Sheriff in Heaven!
Survivors include his parents, Rhonda and Dean Holtzclaw. Sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brooke Whittle. Grandparents, Steve and Cindy Whittle. Uncles, Michael and Travis Whittle. Aunt, Katie Whittle. Great Grandparents, James and Montine Vowell.
Jason's Celebration of Life will be held at Briscoe Park on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Jason Holtzclaw to: National MPS Society c/o Donations PO Box 14686 Durham, NC 27709-4686. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, 770/979-3200.
Jason Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville died from complications of a rare genetic disorder.
In that brief time, he taught relatives and others to celebrate life, regardless of circumstances.
"It's a lot we can learn from children if we stop, slow down and take the time," said his mother, Rhonda Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville. "He taught us how to stop and smell the roses."
"He was our hero."
Hurler Syndrome is a rare, genetic disorder known as "the storage disease." Carriers cannot break down sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans. Sugar accumulates in vital organs and all over the body.
Typically, disease symptoms appear between the ages of 3 and 8. At 11 months, its signs were already visible in Jason, his mother said.
"We knew from the beginning," she said. "His head was much larger than his body. He wasn't walking, crawling and thriving like he should. He had no energy, no get-up-and-go."
Early in his life, all seemed hopeless. Then in 2003, the Federal Drug Administration started a trial drug infusion program to treat the disease. Fortunately, Jason got the actual drug, aldurazyme, not a placebo. It recharged Jason and gave him more moxie.
As a result he lived a kid's life the past six years. He liked to swing, swim and play with his red toy truck. He enjoyed feeding ducks at Briscoe Park.
"The drug changed his life completely," his mother said. "He went from not having such a good quality of life to loving everything."
"All in all, this medicine really did do a lot," said his grandmother, Cindy Whittle of Snellville. "We weren't supposed to have him past 3. We got to have him until he was 8 and that was awesome."
The memorial service for Jason Dean Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville is 1 p.m. Friday at Briscoe Park in Snellville. He died Monday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite from complications of Hurler Syndrome. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Snellville chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jason was a third-grader in a special needs class at Cooper Elementary School in Loganville. He was nonverbal, but had ways to express himself.
"Jason brought excitement to the classroom every day," said Fay Hunczak, his teacher. "He brought a special spark to the classroom and to his classmates. He never stopped moving."
When it came to nicknames, he had three: "Biggie Boy," "Tater," and "Sheriff Tater."
"When he was born, he was a big boy, so I always called him my sack of Idaho potatoes," his grandmother said. "Tater stuck with him forever.
"Then he became Sheriff Tater because after he got older, his hips were very bad and he didn't walk like normal children. He swung them from side to side, like in the old westerns."
Additional survivors include his father, Dean Holtzclaw of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brook Whittle of Lawrenceville; his grandfather, Steve Whittle of Snellville; and his great-grandparents, James and Montine Vowell of Loganville.
∼Jason Dean Holtzclaw was born with a genetic disorder called Hurler Syndrome and lived his life with a giant and courageous spirit! He had the most amazing sense of humor and kept everyone on their toes! Jason made a huge impact on every life he came in contact with and had an enormous desire to make everyone laugh!
On September 14, 2009 our Biggie Boy went home to play with Jesus! He was 8 years old and passed in the loving arms of his parents, Rhonda, and Dean, as well as the wonderful staff at Scottish Rite. Before passing, he resided in Lawrenceville, GA and attended Cooper Elementary. School was where Jason loved to be no matter how bad he felt, he was a firecracker with a will stronger than most! His teachers were able to teach him to leave his shoes on, but were not so successful in teaching him to complete his assignments instead of ripping them to shreds!
Aside from playing with his friends at school, Jason enjoyed feeding the ducks at the park with his sisters Haleigh and Brooke. He loved watching TV and dancing to Elmo while making his "special noise" that we will never forget!
Most of all, Jason took great pleasure in a game of chase on his truck. Sitting on the steering wheel, he would scoot around and around for hours on end. Our little Tater was an inspiration to so many, and his spirit will always be with us. Thank you Jesus for our 8 years with Jason, but watch out, there's a new Sheriff in Heaven!
Survivors include his parents, Rhonda and Dean Holtzclaw. Sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brooke Whittle. Grandparents, Steve and Cindy Whittle. Uncles, Michael and Travis Whittle. Aunt, Katie Whittle. Great Grandparents, James and Montine Vowell.
Jason's Celebration of Life will be held at Briscoe Park on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Jason Holtzclaw to: National MPS Society c/o Donations PO Box 14686 Durham, NC 27709-4686. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, 770/979-3200.
Jason Holtzclaw spent eight years on this Earth.
Jason Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville died from complications of a rare genetic disorder.
In that brief time, he taught relatives and others to celebrate life, regardless of circumstances.
"It's a lot we can learn from children if we stop, slow down and take the time," said his mother, Rhonda Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville. "He taught us how to stop and smell the roses."
"He was our hero."
Hurler Syndrome is a rare, genetic disorder known as "the storage disease." Carriers cannot break down sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans. Sugar accumulates in vital organs and all over the body.
Typically, disease symptoms appear between the ages of 3 and 8. At 11 months, its signs were already visible in Jason, his mother said.
"We knew from the beginning," she said. "His head was much larger than his body. He wasn't walking, crawling and thriving like he should. He had no energy, no get-up-and-go."
Early in his life, all seemed hopeless. Then in 2003, the Federal Drug Administration started a trial drug infusion program to treat the disease. Fortunately, Jason got the actual drug, aldurazyme, not a placebo. It recharged Jason and gave him more moxie.
As a result he lived a kid's life the past six years. He liked to swing, swim and play with his red toy truck. He enjoyed feeding ducks at Briscoe Park.
"The drug changed his life completely," his mother said. "He went from not having such a good quality of life to loving everything."
"All in all, this medicine really did do a lot," said his grandmother, Cindy Whittle of Snellville. "We weren't supposed to have him past 3. We got to have him until he was 8 and that was awesome."
The memorial service for Jason Dean Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville is 1 p.m. Friday at Briscoe Park in Snellville. He died Monday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite from complications of Hurler Syndrome. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Snellville chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jason was a third-grader in a special needs class at Cooper Elementary School in Loganville. He was nonverbal, but had ways to express himself.
"Jason brought excitement to the classroom every day," said Fay Hunczak, his teacher. "He brought a special spark to the classroom and to his classmates. He never stopped moving."
When it came to nicknames, he had three: "Biggie Boy," "Tater," and "Sheriff Tater."
"When he was born, he was a big boy, so I always called him my sack of Idaho potatoes," his grandmother said. "Tater stuck with him forever.
"Then he became Sheriff Tater because after he got older, his hips were very bad and he didn't walk like normal children. He swung them from side to side, like in the old westerns."
Additional survivors include his father, Dean Holtzclaw of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brook Whittle of Lawrenceville; his grandfather, Steve Whittle of Snellville; and his great-grandparents, James and Montine Vowell of Loganville.
∼Jason Dean Holtzclaw was born with a genetic disorder called Hurler Syndrome and lived his life with a giant and courageous spirit! He had the most amazing sense of humor and kept everyone on their toes! Jason made a huge impact on every life he came in contact with and had an enormous desire to make everyone laugh!
On September 14, 2009 our Biggie Boy went home to play with Jesus! He was 8 years old and passed in the loving arms of his parents, Rhonda, and Dean, as well as the wonderful staff at Scottish Rite. Before passing, he resided in Lawrenceville, GA and attended Cooper Elementary. School was where Jason loved to be no matter how bad he felt, he was a firecracker with a will stronger than most! His teachers were able to teach him to leave his shoes on, but were not so successful in teaching him to complete his assignments instead of ripping them to shreds!
Aside from playing with his friends at school, Jason enjoyed feeding the ducks at the park with his sisters Haleigh and Brooke. He loved watching TV and dancing to Elmo while making his "special noise" that we will never forget!
Most of all, Jason took great pleasure in a game of chase on his truck. Sitting on the steering wheel, he would scoot around and around for hours on end. Our little Tater was an inspiration to so many, and his spirit will always be with us. Thank you Jesus for our 8 years with Jason, but watch out, there's a new Sheriff in Heaven!
Survivors include his parents, Rhonda and Dean Holtzclaw. Sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brooke Whittle. Grandparents, Steve and Cindy Whittle. Uncles, Michael and Travis Whittle. Aunt, Katie Whittle. Great Grandparents, James and Montine Vowell.
Jason's Celebration of Life will be held at Briscoe Park on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Jason Holtzclaw to: National MPS Society c/o Donations PO Box 14686 Durham, NC 27709-4686. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, 770/979-3200.
Jason Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville died from complications of a rare genetic disorder.
In that brief time, he taught relatives and others to celebrate life, regardless of circumstances.
"It's a lot we can learn from children if we stop, slow down and take the time," said his mother, Rhonda Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville. "He taught us how to stop and smell the roses."
"He was our hero."
Hurler Syndrome is a rare, genetic disorder known as "the storage disease." Carriers cannot break down sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans. Sugar accumulates in vital organs and all over the body.
Typically, disease symptoms appear between the ages of 3 and 8. At 11 months, its signs were already visible in Jason, his mother said.
"We knew from the beginning," she said. "His head was much larger than his body. He wasn't walking, crawling and thriving like he should. He had no energy, no get-up-and-go."
Early in his life, all seemed hopeless. Then in 2003, the Federal Drug Administration started a trial drug infusion program to treat the disease. Fortunately, Jason got the actual drug, aldurazyme, not a placebo. It recharged Jason and gave him more moxie.
As a result he lived a kid's life the past six years. He liked to swing, swim and play with his red toy truck. He enjoyed feeding ducks at Briscoe Park.
"The drug changed his life completely," his mother said. "He went from not having such a good quality of life to loving everything."
"All in all, this medicine really did do a lot," said his grandmother, Cindy Whittle of Snellville. "We weren't supposed to have him past 3. We got to have him until he was 8 and that was awesome."
The memorial service for Jason Dean Holtzclaw of Lawrenceville is 1 p.m. Friday at Briscoe Park in Snellville. He died Monday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite from complications of Hurler Syndrome. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Snellville chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jason was a third-grader in a special needs class at Cooper Elementary School in Loganville. He was nonverbal, but had ways to express himself.
"Jason brought excitement to the classroom every day," said Fay Hunczak, his teacher. "He brought a special spark to the classroom and to his classmates. He never stopped moving."
When it came to nicknames, he had three: "Biggie Boy," "Tater," and "Sheriff Tater."
"When he was born, he was a big boy, so I always called him my sack of Idaho potatoes," his grandmother said. "Tater stuck with him forever.
"Then he became Sheriff Tater because after he got older, his hips were very bad and he didn't walk like normal children. He swung them from side to side, like in the old westerns."
Additional survivors include his father, Dean Holtzclaw of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brook Whittle of Lawrenceville; his grandfather, Steve Whittle of Snellville; and his great-grandparents, James and Montine Vowell of Loganville.
∼Jason Dean Holtzclaw was born with a genetic disorder called Hurler Syndrome and lived his life with a giant and courageous spirit! He had the most amazing sense of humor and kept everyone on their toes! Jason made a huge impact on every life he came in contact with and had an enormous desire to make everyone laugh!
On September 14, 2009 our Biggie Boy went home to play with Jesus! He was 8 years old and passed in the loving arms of his parents, Rhonda, and Dean, as well as the wonderful staff at Scottish Rite. Before passing, he resided in Lawrenceville, GA and attended Cooper Elementary. School was where Jason loved to be no matter how bad he felt, he was a firecracker with a will stronger than most! His teachers were able to teach him to leave his shoes on, but were not so successful in teaching him to complete his assignments instead of ripping them to shreds!
Aside from playing with his friends at school, Jason enjoyed feeding the ducks at the park with his sisters Haleigh and Brooke. He loved watching TV and dancing to Elmo while making his "special noise" that we will never forget!
Most of all, Jason took great pleasure in a game of chase on his truck. Sitting on the steering wheel, he would scoot around and around for hours on end. Our little Tater was an inspiration to so many, and his spirit will always be with us. Thank you Jesus for our 8 years with Jason, but watch out, there's a new Sheriff in Heaven!
Survivors include his parents, Rhonda and Dean Holtzclaw. Sisters, Haleigh Whittle and Brooke Whittle. Grandparents, Steve and Cindy Whittle. Uncles, Michael and Travis Whittle. Aunt, Katie Whittle. Great Grandparents, James and Montine Vowell.
Jason's Celebration of Life will be held at Briscoe Park on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Jason Holtzclaw to: National MPS Society c/o Donations PO Box 14686 Durham, NC 27709-4686. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, 770/979-3200.
