Jason Pablo Lawner

On January 8, 2023, our beloved teacher, musician, friend, mentor, son, brother and devoted partner passed away in a tragic skiing accident.

Jason was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Adventurous and dynamic from the start, Jason passionately pursued (and excelled at) everything from gourmet cooking, to triathlons, to the trumpet. Jason always appreciated the beauty around him; contemporary art, Jazz, the outdoors, and the family and friends he surrounded himself with. 

Throughout his life, Jason was fascinated by music and continuously explored what made it work. He loved multiple genres and deeply appreciated melody, harmony, and rhythm. Though Jason loved classical music, his true passion was jazz and improvisation.

Shortly after graduating from Viewpoint School in California, Jason traded the West Coast beaches for the white beaches of Florida to attend the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. In Miami, Jason also developed as a yoga teacher and became one of the most respected and loved teachers in the community, also working as a corrective exercise specialist for over ten years. 

Eventually Jason traded sand for snow and moved to Salt Lake City, UT to be proximal to world-class skiing, climbing, and endless outdoor adventuring. Because of his talents, passions, and unrelenting kindness, wherever he moved, Jason could mix into any community the same way he could mix a cocktail—smoothly, effortlessly, and with a garnish of style. Wherever he went, Jason shared his ready smile, infectious spirit, and magnetic positivity impacting everyone he encountered. An old soul and truly special being, his energy was as bright and colorful and unique as his copious tattoos. 

Also in SLC, he met his beloved partner, Sarah Harward, whom he respected and adored and with whom he lived a rich life, playing in nature, enjoying cooking, and connecting with friends.

In SLC, Jason soon blended into the yoga community and quickly became a popular and respected teacher. He also mixed with the music community and began playing trumpet in several local bands including, The Hardy Brothers, The Soulistics, and The Galaxxy Band.

Apart from yoga, music, and the outdoors, as a true renaissance man, Jason was a connoisseur of countless other domains, but excelled as a SLC realtor, hat aficionado, poetry appreciator, foodie, and lover of cocktails, sparkling wine, and Spritzes.

He lived fully and passionately, and was granted the pleasure of leaving this world doing one of the things that brought him an excess of joy. He preached “Go barefoot often, love deeply with an open heart, go outside, and find things that nourish your soul. Make time to do the things you love, to do things that push you out of your comfort zone, and to be in a community with like-minded beings that push themselves toward greatness.”

Surely, Jason is one of the greatest treasures that this world may ever know. Though his trumpet is silent and his yoga mat empty, the life he breathed into this world will live forever. There’s soon to be another member joining the angelic horn section of the Big Band of the Beyond and those cats better be ready for when that saint comes marching in. 

Jason is survived by his parents, Dr. Pablo (Janine Mcguire) Lawner of Los Angeles, mother Leslie (Peter) Knapp of Vermont, sister Tracy Lawner of San Diego, partner Sarah Harward and her family of Salt Lake City/Park City, and countless yogis, fellow musicians, and friends who called him brother. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider attending a local yoga class or live music, or donate to the Utah Avalanche Center—he read the avalanche report daily and supported them often. Special thanks to the incredible ski patrollers and EMS who worked tirelessly to try to save our beloved Jason.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.  Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building. 

Om namah shivaya (Oh, salutations to the auspicious one.)