Honoring Jason Depew: Dedication, Passion, and a Legacy of Giving Back

In this episode, Adam pays tribute to the late Jason Depew, reflecting on his impactful career and steadfast dedication to others that were the hallmark of Jason's unique contributions to the pilot community. The discussion extends to remembering Jason's legacy, emphasizing his commitment to giving back and encouraging others in the aviation industry. This heartfelt episode serves as a reminder of the lasting influence one can have through passion and generosity.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
Hey, network.
It's been a little time since last I recordedand was able to put out a podcast for the
masses.
As most of you know, we had a loss in the TPNfamily.
The great Jason Depew passed, a couple of weeksago and we were left reeling, trying to figure

(00:24):
out what the next steps were and how we wouldapproach this.
Most of you who are within the network and havepaid attention to a lot of stuff have seen all
the stuff out, about Jason, and, his funeraland everything that happened, kind of in the,

(00:45):
in the context of that.
I didn't really know how to approach, podcastswith Jason because he was such a big part of
TPN, and he was such a close friend of mine.
I I recorded some stuff right after his passingand wanted to put it out, but I realized that I

(01:05):
just, it it wasn't the time was wrong.
The words weren't right.
All the stuff that you can think of when youlose somebody that's close to you and somebody
that's so important to thousands of pilots.
You've really touched so many different lives.
So before, we release any other pods oranything like that, I wanted to do a very short

(01:29):
tribute to Jason with something that, is thatwe wrote and put out.
So, I'm just gonna read what we what we wroteand go from there.
You you can find this written before thearticles that he released to TPN, about the,

(01:50):
the the the great pilot hiring change and allthat stuff.
So you can see the written word, but I figuredfor those of you who don't, read some of the
articles that, they can hear kind of ourthoughts, and thoughts of his family and for

(02:10):
just kind of a reboot to what we're doing.
Because if you knew Jason well enough, or youknew Jason in in a personal way, the last thing
that he would want is for us to rest on ourlaurels and stop paying it forward.
That's not the kind of guy Jason was.
So here we go.

(02:53):
Hey, network.
As many of you know, we lost one of the greatones recently.
Jason Depew, a beloved husband, father, andaviator touched countless lives through his
passion for flying, mentorship, and service.
Born in Provo, Utah and raised in Loveland,Colorado, Jason's love for aviation began early

(03:14):
inspiring a remarkable career.
A graduate of the US Air Force Academy anddecorated Air Force pilot, Jason flew combat
missions in multiple aircraft and later servedas an instructor and liaison guiding the next
generation of aviators.
Beyond his air force service, Jason pursued hisdreams with Delta Airlines, authored Pilot Math
Treasure Bath, and co founded the pilot networkfostering a community of over 30,000 pilots.

(03:40):
His dedication to teaching and empoweringothers coupled with his joyful spirit and
integrity left an indelible mark on theaviation community.
Jason is deeply missed but his legacy lives onin his work, his family, and all those he
inspired.
He was the best of us, a true one of 1.
Tailwinds our friend, until we form up again.

(04:04):
The network.
Aside from that writing, I wanted to share astory about Jason.
It's one I got to share at his funeral and,it's something that probably many of you don't
really know.
So I worked with Jason on another podcast and Iwas doing some editing for him.

(04:29):
He asked me, Hey, Adam, can you get the soundright on this?
It just it, I just can't seem to make it work.
I said, sure.
Let me take a look at it.
So I got on and started tinkering with thesound and messing with the leveling and stuff
like that.
And I was able to figure a couple of thingsout, but I, it was, some bad recording on the
guest side.
So we got as good as we could get before wepublished.

(04:51):
However, I found something at the end where itwas so funny.
And I I talked to him about this.
Jason had a really hard time signing off andsaying goodbye, Which I found to be, I guess
kind of ironic in the situation that unfolded.
But Jason, he would kinda stumble or wouldprotract, the words out a little longer and

(05:16):
didn't really know how to kinda wrap it up.
So I had to cut it kinda short, and I addedsome outro music.
It was this goofy, French bistro music, Iguess, or whatever.
And I sent to him and I said, hey.
I hope you like this.
I kinda changed a couple of things, and and Ihope you sound a little bit better on the way
out.
And he laughed and said, hey.
Yeah.
Absolutely, man.
He goes, I it's not my strong suit.
That's that's your stuff, not mine.

(05:38):
And I go, no problem, dude.
I'm always here for you to help out withanything like that.
So the the story I share is to kinda say with,with a heavy heart, but also a very, happy mind
that I was able to get to be in Jason's orbitwas that he kinda had a hard time saying
goodbye to all of us.

(06:00):
And I guess he didn't know that he was sorevered, cared for, and loved by so many
aviators and how many people he touched outthere.
If you know of stories of Jason or you want topay it forward, just consider thinking of the
things that he did in his career and findingsome small step that you can do to pay forward

(06:25):
the aviation mentorship and mindset that Jasonhad so you can continue to grow this wonderful
career field because that's what Jason trulyloved to do.
Thanks again for being a part of the networkand for looking out for each other.
Keep the shiny side up, the greasy side down.
Fly safe, everybody.