Jason is much loved and will always be remembered by all his friends and family. Site visitors (you) are strongly encouraged to contribute pictures and thoughts to this site.
Dr. Jason Litton, 71, of Monaghan township, passed away on September 5th at Holy Spirit Hospital under the care of Hospice of Central Pennsylvania.
A native of Boston, Massachusetts. he was graduated from Great Neck (N.Y.) High School, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity College and Doctor of Medicine from the Downstate Medical Center of New York. After completing postgraduate training at the University of Colorado and the Medical College of Wisconsin, and serving in the United States Air Force, he entered orthopedic practice in Harrisburg and Camp Hill from which he retired in January 2007.
Dr. Litton was a member of the Board of Governors of Holy Spirit Hospital as well as president of its medical staff. He also served as president of the Boards of the Harrisburg Symphony and Market Square Concerts, and was a founding member of the Board of Tres Bonne Annee, raising thousands of dollars for the Whitaker Center for the Performing Arts. He was the co-founder of the original West Shore Soccer League which has grown to enrich the lives of thousands of families in Central PA. He was also a regular contributor to the Patriot News column on wine education.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Dr. Linda Taft Litton, their three children, Peter of Chicago, Dr. Ashley L. Faulx of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Jennifer L. Ross of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and three grandchildren. Also surviving him are his mother, Gertrude Litton and his sister, Ms. Helen Greer, both of New York.
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Dr. Litton was the first doctor I met at OIP..My first day at work he introduced himself to me and gave a me a kiss right on the lips and then he told me to dispose of my gum!! I Love you Dr. Litton
Kristie Harfield
I knew Jason just a little while before he became ill. It was before Linda's 70th birthday party. We had just moved into our new house three doors away on Dataw. As it turned out Mae and I have lots in common with them: medical siblings/parents, love of art, travel, fine food and wine.
When Jason finally retired he threw himself into golf and other activities full force, which is how I imagine he did in his many more work years.
Some will say, "my, my too bad that Jason just retired, and now he has died; he didn't get a chance to enjoy his retirement". But I know that is folly, as Jason and Linda both enjoyed their work and the rewards it brought all their lives. They seemed to take each day and enjoy it to its fullest, regardless of it being work related, family related, or even for a short time, retirement related.
After we knew Jason was ill, an Art Magazine we took ran a feature article entitled "The 100 Top Contemporary Art Collectors in the United States." To cheer Jason up, I hustled over to their back sliding door and banged on it. I said to Jason, "Look Look this is wonderful news!" Jason looked at the article, read every one of the 100 names...and said, "Dennis, what is so wonderful about that?...I am not listed!" and I responded, "well only cause you must be number 101!" to which he laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the moment along with me.
In his final days at Dataw, I would "Jason sit", giving Linda a chance to rush out for some diversion and freedom...during those times Jason would sit in his chair and I in mine, and we would talk about whatever was on his mind as his life came to a close; a reality clear to us both, but unspoken between us.
Sometimes it would be a momentary pang of anguish about how much resources he had spent on art in his life, how he had lusted after a certain artist's work..."was that wrong?" he would ask. I would ask, "Jason, do you want my opinion"? "Yes, of course" he would softly say and wait.
I would respond, "no, it was fine, the only real question now is what do you do with them?"... and he would gently nod, think about the possibilities of what he could do and close his eyes and rest.
Another time, he would ask, "What about all the pewter? "What do you mean?", I would say..."What should I do with it?"
"Whatever, you want", I would reply. He would take that in, pause and say, "good I will sell it."...and close his eyes.
The extraordinary thing about these exchanges was that actually, Jason and I had just met, we were not life long friends, and yet we connected, respected, and cared about each other.
So for me Jason Litton, you are a man to cherish for the trust and confidence you shared with me at the end of your journey. Not so usual at all, but as it was, it is truly something for me to cherish forever. Thanks for sharing yourself with me.
Dennis Tavernetti
My wife, Charlene, and I first met Jason and Linda in 1987 when I worked with Pennsylvania Orthopedics as a resident. Jason was one of the reasons I came to the group after my residency, Navy service and fellowship. He was a great teacher and mentor. Jason had a huge heart, and under his sometimes rough exterior, he was very caring and compassionate. Jason "took me under his wing" as a young orthopedist, and made sure I had O.R. time and ample office hours.
Jason Litton loved life and lived it to its fullest. He always had great stories about his trips and his family. He would always "light up" when talking about Linda, their children, and grandchildren. His love and knowledge of wines is legendary, as are his collections. The man never sat still.
Jason was loved by a lot of people. He touched numerous lives and took care of a lot of patients. Jason had a huge impact on my career and my life, and I am eternally grateful.
Jason Litton was a great man, and God richly blessed him with a great life and family. I will certainly miss him.
Steve Wolf
So many stories of laughter, love and changes through the years. Jason, thank you for all your life's support and encouragements.
The Kirker family grieves with the Litton family today. We will never forget so much joy and happiness shared with Jason and his adoring family on so many Christmas Eves.
One in particular reminds me of the diversity inside of Jason Litton. My mother, Jeanne Kirker, received a "Singing Machine" (what is now known as a karaoke machine) for Christmas. My mother couldn't sing, so we all laughed in hysterics at her good-natured attempts. But then Jason took the microphone. We quickly learned this brilliant physician and surgeon was a closet lounge singer. He held onto the microphone for pretty much the rest of the night, to all of our delight.
Sing on Brother! Love Donna Kirker Morgan
I was very proud to be Dr. Jason Litton's Medical Secretary from 1973 to 2003. I say that I was proud in every sense of the word. Jason was an accomplished Orthopedic Surgeon and leaves behind him many patients who have gratefully been relieved of their orthopedic problems. He treated them with professionalism and tenderness much of which I witnessed personally on a daily basis. He also earned the respect of all of his partners over the years. Jason always spoke his mind and never cowared from what he felt was right and just and in the best interest of the furtherence of the practice. I truly feel that the success of Pennsylvania Orthopedics and later Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania was in a great part due to his influence. Jason always made me feel like part of his family, and I will never, ever, forget his excitement and joy at the birth of my husband, Milan, and my daughter in 1981. He was a very emotional person, and not everyone was lucky enough to experience that side of him. As his personal secretary I always could depend on Jason to be predictable and reliable which made my job easier and I found myself working hard to make him proud of our "team". I believe that I speak for everyone in the original Pa Orthopedics staff that some of our fondest memories of Jason were at the Christmas and Summer parties where he was relaxed and showed his most generous and fun side. Everyone will remember the great pleasure he had when he handed out the Christmas bonuses...oh, those hugs and kisses!! Jason also never tired of sharing with me how much he loved Linda and their many trips together and how proud he was of his three children and his grandchildren, too. I close these thoughts out by expressing to all who may read this that I will miss this great man and friend beyond words. I can honestly say that much of who I am as a person today is reflective of the influence he had in my life. Cheryl Vulich
I worked with Dr. Litton for too many years to count - as an xray technologist and also assisting him with his patients. During office hours, he was very focused on his work and expected his staff to be the same. However, at the end of office hours, he always said "thank you" to his staff. That meant alot.
He loved his family and was very proud of them. He had updated pictures of them in his exam rooms. And at Thanksgiving, he was so excited because the entire family would be together.
Office parties were always fun with Jason around. He loved to dance and enjoyed giving out the Christmas bonuses and kisses.
So Jason, thank you for the opportunity to work with you. I'll miss you and your kisses.
We met in 1964 as young Air Force lieutenants, each with smart, beautiful and competent wives and the cutest of little children. At Orlando Air Force Base, Jason was fulfilling his commitment as a medical officer and I as a documentary motion picture officer. A mutual friend insisted that Susan and I meet Linda and Jason--that our interests, personalities and fledgling little families were seemed meant for friendship. She was right. On all sorts of levels, we connected, and enjoyed that new friendship. It's been mutually treasured for 45 years!
Jason and Linda have enhanced and stimulated life for many others, of course, but today, Pamela Zilly and I especially mourn the loss of the exciting, affectionate, challenging and horizon-broadening-presence in our lives, that has been Jason Litton. Thank goodness we all knew and had expressed our love and admiration many times through the years.
The pleasure, respect, cultural and intellectual enthusiasm, love for our children, sense of humor and mutual irreverance have been treasures I've been conscious of since 1964. Nothing's been left unexpressed.
Though we may be selfishly angry that Jason has been taken from us, we are grateful and moved by how much of his life-enhancing and life-affirming spirit characterizes Linda, Ashley, Peter and Jennifer. We will make sure the wonderful connection of 1964 will keep going, expand and be treasured by all of us for a long, long time!
Much, much love to Linda and the wonderful family she and Jason have given us.
Peter Vogt and Pamela Zilly
September 8, 2008
I will always think of Dr. Litton when I look down upon my sweet little one-inch scar on my left wrist, where he saved me from a painful tendinitis, and a bottle of wine he gave me at the Harrisburg Hilton autographed by Ken Rosenblum because he knew I really liked that wine. The bottle was for him, but he gave it to me as a most kind and generous gesture. That's who he was, and I cannot believe he has left this earth already, with so much more wine to be savored, so much more great food to be eaten, and so much more art to be appreciated. He was a great man with an incredibly warm spirit that shone through in everything he did and how he treated his patients. He had a really contagious joie de vivre, and I am sure he is still living large in heaven. Rest peacefully, my good doctor. I will always remember you. Ginni Linn
Jason showed me how to truly enjoy life: that the joy of the finer things in life lies as much in sharing them with the people you love as it does in the appreciation of the glass of wine, the gourmet meal, the piece of music or art itself.
I'll share an anecdote that I think captures a small insight into these parts of Jason's personality: Jason was giving me a tour of his pewter and when we got to the drinking vessels in his office I asked what pewter did to the taste of beer. He said, "one way to find out", grabbed a 17th century stein for me and a chalice that purportedly belonged to William of Orange for himself and promptly filled them with beer.
Jason's generosity was boundless and contagious, as was his enthusiasm for an incredibly astounding array of subjects, both mundane and arcane. He pursued ideas and experiences with a vigor I've not seen in many other people and the world is smaller without him.
I will raise a toast tonight, with friends, to Jason and his profound love of drinking life to the lees.
I met Dr. Litton on a day that he worked at Grandview Surgery Center. All I saw were the whites of his eyes, our cars were inches away from crashing head on. We were rushing around,I was going to lunch and he was going to Holy Spirit. After about 1 1/2 years later he encouraged me to join the OIP team, a little more pushing from Dr. Litton and I gave in. I was given a great opportunity by working at OIP, thanks Dr. Litton. I needed the push. You will be greatly missed. Lisamarie Barrick, CRA @ K2M,Inc.
Jason and I met in September 1954 as freshmen at Trinity College. In the 54 years since then I have witnssed the arc of Jason's career from the classrooms in Hartford, where we studied together, to the Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, where he repaired my shoulder. Jason's journey has been beautiful. As if possessed of the sun's gentle rays, Jason touched his family, friends, patients and his community with light, warmth, growth and healing. Jason has gone into the night, but the glow from his passage will light our way for a long time to come. Frankin Kury
I had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Litton during the last 30 years in my nursing career. We first met in the OR at Holy Spirit where the first time I worked with him I was nervous and afraid. You see, he was known for his demanding of excellence and high standards. I guess I made the grade because I worked with him for many years after that day and considered him a wonderful man and a fine doctor. He took care of many family members including my daughter when she was born with hip problems and was always reassuring to me she would be "normal" She's now 24 and he would always ask about her when he'd see me.The last time I saw Jason was at a bluegrass festival ( his first,he said)and he was one person I never thought to see there! He was happy, looked great, and of course gave me his signature big kiss!
When I look back on my nursing career he will be one doctor I won't forget- the world has lost a great man
Jason was a dear friend. We operated on the same day each week at Holy Spirit for close to thirty years. One locker apart. As you can imagine, there were many shared experiences.
Unfortunately,his clothes did not fit me; and so I never asked to borrow any. He was somewhat posessive about his ties, and so I assumed they were off limits. There are limits to every friendship,I suppose.
When I broke my right thumb skiing at Vail on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 1987, I thought of no on else but Jason,and called him before the plaster was dry on the temporary cast.
Jason did such a great job in the OR one week later that I have absolutely no loss of function. In a sense he saved my career as an ENT surgeon,and I remain indebted.
When my younger son dislocated his shoulder playing lacrosse at the Harrisburg Academy several years later,naturally the call went out; and Jason once again came to the rescue.
There is no better professional and personal endorsement than when one doctor selects another to care for him and his or her family.
In addition, Jason had a certain sense of elan,and a sharp sense of humor and incite which was uniquely admirable. Even more importantly, Jason possessed a strong sense of commitment to his family,friends,professional associates and colleagues and humanity in general. We will all miss him , but our lives are much richer for having known him.
Norman Woldorf
Jason is a man you can never forget. He was the gentlest, understanding gentleman I had the pleasure to work for. My fondest memory of him goes like this. I was a house keeper for the Litton family. I had 2 small children at the time and they wanted to help mommy clean their house. They took every candle they could reach and removed all the wax drippings. When he saw this he called me and asked what happened. I told him that the girls wanted to help me clean the house and they thought they were cleaning his candles.(thankfully not all the candles were done)he laughed when he heard this then asked me to tell the girls he liked his candles messy.
Linda, Peter, Ashley and Jennifer you are in my prayers and I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great man and will be greatly missed.
Teresa Hartman
I first met Jason at Sheila and Linda's 25th reunion at Mount Holyoke. Sheila had convinced me that any loving husband would be delighted to accompany his wife for such a benchmark occasion. Anticipating sheer boredom I collected my Sports Illustrated and a book to read. Well, when I first connected with Jason, he told me Linda had put the exact same type of pressure on him. So, from the very start Jason and I had something in common. Books and magazines could be stowed away when we discovered to our great pleasure, that we had many, many more important things in common; such as a love of wine, gourmet feasts, travel and medicine. Since Linda and Jason would be passing within five minutes of our house on their way home from reunions, we invited them to stop by for dinner: steaks from the freezer accompanied by a '61 Ch. Margaux. A special bond was in the making.
We traveled together on 6 overseas trips: champagne toasts to the midnight sun on a cruise through the fiords of Norway; standing in awe of the pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt; quenching multiple thirsts with wine and beer in Belgium and Germany; sherry, olives and almonds ina sunny square in Madrid; marveling at the Taj Mahal in India; and finally, drinking fine wine in luxury on a barge trip through parts of Burgundy, France with a fabulous chef on board who deserved at least one more star than the 3 star Lameloise (where we had dinner one night) in Chagny.
So special to me are the great wines we shared together. When Jason was at our house for dinner, I would always try to bring out my best. We had a special retirement dinner for Jason in our home on Dataw Island, SC in Jan. 2007 to celebrate his official retirement. Among the offerings on Sheila's menu were caviar, fois gras, and prime filets. (Linda is such an outstanding gourmet cook that Sheila tries very hard to make her own mark.) I served a magnum of '61 Ch. Palmer that I had been saving to welcome Jason to the world of dynamic retirees (even though he continued to do medical exam for workman's comp for another year).
But I do have to admit that, when it came to wines Jason was impossible to compete with as his cellar was about 10 times the size of mine. I will never forget his generosity in sharing his best wines with me and his genuine joy in doing so.
The wonderful conversations we shared, and his never ending thirst for experiencing new things are memories I will cherish. The loss of his friendship and his companionship is immeasurable. I will deeply miss my best friend.
Alan Korhammer
Rich and I had the wonderful experience of almost always being with Jason and Linda on vacation. We met on our Bryce, Zion Grand Canyon bicycle trip in 1999. We enjoyed sailing together in the BVI, biking in Hawaii, hiking in the Cotswolds, golfing in Datow and Arizona. Many friends and strangers gladly gathered around Jason. We were amazed to be embraced so quickly in the friendship of Linda, Jason, Naomi and Gene. I can still picture all of us relaxing on the lodge balcony overlooking the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Jason was truly charismatic, debonair, and down to earth, all at the same time. To say merely that he had a zest for life doesn't do justice to Jason's energy, enthusiasm and eclectic interests. Our lives are immeasurably richer for having known him. We'll miss you Jason! Anne and Rich Hovland
Linda and I were classmates and dorm mates at Mount Holyoke College where we became fast friends. Despite different career paths and nomadic domesticity paths, we sustained the "friendship connection" through the oft maligned Holiday Letters, which are usually sent out at the end of the year.
Then came our 25th Reunion, where through some sense of witchcraft, we (unbeknownst to each other) conned our husbands into escorting us to an ALL WOMEN'S COLLEGE reunion. Hallelujah and WOW, let the fireworks commence. Jason and Alan hit it off like gangbusters. We began planning visits and trips and all types of occasions where we could just relax or be adventurous together.
It is with joy that I remember and treasure our many travel adventures (six international trips) with Jason and Linda. I especially remember successfully seeking and then toasting the midnight sun on a cruise/working ship making its way up through the Norwegian fiords (one passenger on board had made the trip 8 times seeking that elusive midnight sun --- we brought him good luck). But what fun we had at each of the little local ports, exploring the heart of Norwegian Villages while fish, mail and other cargo were off loaded and then new fish, mail and cargo on-loaded. The little shops were a treasure trove of things that we "just had to have."
My life of knowing Jason is one of joy. Not only was he a dear friend during the "good times," he gave me the encouragement and support I desperately needed during a medical dark period of my life. I thank him with my whole heart for that. But that is the Jason I knew, someone who truly cared about people, committing himself fully to sharing himself in enhancing the lives of others.
I remember the last dinner I prepared for Jason. This was a few days prior to his leaving Dataw to go north for new testing. It was birthday time for Linda, Alan and Harriett, wife of another couple who are good friends. So I did a joint birthday dinner, complete with baloons, cake, candles and tacky singing birthday cards. I prepared a surf and turf menu because Jason absolutely loved lobster and Linda prefers steak.
Since this was such a special occasion and I was not sure when I might be making dinner for Jason again, I got the BIG ones, 2 and 1/2 pounders. BIG MISTAKE! My newly purchased lobster crackers were as effective as an ant against an elephant. So we had to resort to hammers. (You should see Linda wielding a hammer!!!) But once retrieved from the shell, the meat was tender, moist and sweet. Jason ate all 2 and 1/2 pounds. It saddens me to think that it was the last dinner I would ever make for him.
What is so bittersweet and heartbreaking is that the four of us, along with three other couples, had made plans and reserved a ten person barge for another vintaage wine/gourmet food extravangaza on a fantasy barge so we could explore the mysteries and beauty of northern Burgundy. Jason and the rest of us were rip-roaring excited about the treat ahead of us. But ever so sadly, the trip, which was booked last year, was scheduled for this month, September, the month that Jason left us with our grief. (Because of Jason's prognosis, and the fact that it would be unthinkable to continue with the trip without him, we cancelled the trip last March.) But we must take heart in the fact that he shared so much of himself with us and that he left us with fondest memories of the wit and joy he brought into our lives.
I cannot fully express how much I am going to miss my dearest friend. Jason, Bon Voyage! May the music you love so passionately always be with you, resonating in your heart and soul. May there always by a first growth vintage glass of wine at you side for sipping as the music fills your spirit. And may there be a steamed lobster on your plate every now and then.
I miss you terribly,
Sheila
Thinking of Jason this morning, I recalled this lyrical coda to a novel by Daniel Fuchs: "...the people enmeshed in their concerns, those pursuits, dreams and diversions which occupy us so that we are each of us precious to ourselves and wouldn't exchange ourselves, the being in us, with any other, those wonderful moments which as they happen go by almost unnoticed but which return again and again in our thoughts to bemuse and warm us, the stir of smoking mountain panoramas, the ache of sweet summer days, of trees in leaf, of being in love, this prize, this treasure, this phantom life."
Tom Schmidt
I don't have nearly as much to say as his close friends because I knew Dr. Litton only as my doctor after a car accident that left me with a compound ulna fracture. I wouldn't have chosen a different doctor for the surgery, though. He seemed genuinely interested in me as a patient, and I always looked forward to seeing him at my OIP appts. I felt like I suddenly had a third grandpa. He was a truly awesome doctor. It's a shame, because there aren't many doctors left that invest themselves in their patients' lives like Dr. Litton did.
I am a nurse at Holy Spirit Hospital. I worked with him on 6 east at the hospital. He was a great doctor. My prayers and thought are with you at this time. May the Holy Spirit come down on you and your family to give you peace and comfort. He will be greatly missed. --Robin Walker (Carlisle, PA)
My heart hurts for the sorrow your are experiencing from the loss of your husband and father. I met Jason after he retired when I started scheduling his appointments and transcribing his reports. He was always so kind and spoke so affectionately of his family. I pray you will feel the loving arms of Jesus around you, comforting you each day. --Linda Day (Harrisburg)
I was terribly sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and father. Seeing the pictures on your website brought back so many memories of what a special man he was and how special your family is. I have such fond memories of spending time with you when Jenny and I were young and I enjoyed seeing Ashley in Shaker Heights when we lived there. My best to all of you during this difficult time. We were all fortunate to have had your dad touch our lives. My heart goes out to you all. --Beth Meyer Atkeson (Wendell, NC)
My sincere thoughts are with you @ this time. I had the pleasure of working with both Dr. Littons' and had Ashley as a summer scrub tech intern@ HHOR. I am entering my 30th year of Nursing and hope I can give back to others a fraction of what Dr. Jason Litton gave to this world. Heaven just got a great Bone Doc! --Lisa Majerchik,RN,BSN, CNOR (New Cumberland, PA)
We wish to extend condolences to the Litton family. I knew Jason, both as a patient and worked with him as a nurse in the operating room at Holy Spirit. My husband Jon was on the board of directors with Jason at the wine society. We have fond memories from the wine tastings & the Bastille day celebration which was held at the Litton home. Jason will be missed by many who had the pleasure of knowing him. --Lori & Jon Bauer
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Dr. Jason Litton. We were just remembering Dr. Litton a few days ago (sparked by an old OIP t-shirt) - he was a Godsend to us when our then-10-year-old son broke his arm in June 2006. Dr. Litton's confident demeanor and strength - softened by a remarkable gentleness - made a difficult time for us bearable, and we will always remember and appreciate that. Godspeed Doc. --The Runyan Family (Harrisburg, PA)
I am sorry for your loss and our loss. I will always remember Jason as a caring physician, a true colleague, and a wonderful human being. He gave a great deal to our community and certainly left this world a better place. I have thought about him frequently the last several months and my thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you. --Joseph Esposito
I was so sad to see the passing of Dr. Litton in the paper. Dr. Litton was one of my all time favorite doctors. I had broken my ankle and I was introduced to him, and he became a special care giver to me. In later years we had to operate and have hardware removed from that same ankle and of course, Dr. Litton was who did the surgery. I remember the trip to the operating room and as they were getting me ready for surgery, he walked in and said "how's my beauitiful patient this morning?" and I went under! When I awoke, I thought what a wonder way to go to sleep! What a great bedside manner he had. I worked for many years in the workers comp field and Dr. Litton was the doctor who provided great care to our employees and I must say worked with us to get employees back on the job, healthy and in a short period of time. I must say it was such a pleasure knowing him. May your family memories confort all of you at this time. --Sally Patacconi (New Cumberland, PA)
Dear Linda, Peter, Ashley & Jennifer: I have read all of the entries posted here so far and isn't it so very heartwarming to hear from so many of his patients and the hospital staff with whom he worked at Holy Spirit Hospital and how special he was to all of them? Many of the names brought back many proud moments of Jason's care of these patients. I remember how loyal they were to Dr. Litton. I was very fortunate to have worked for such a great surgeon, who quickly became a great friend. He was very good to me. I will never forget him either! --Cheryl Vulich (Harrisburg, PA)
My family was introduced to yours the summer of 1986. Soon after that we were living with your family in the carriage house. My mom used to take care of your house and my dad took care of the land. I was only 8 years old when we moved in and I am now 30 years old and still talk about the house I grew up in. I will always remember my sister and would ride our bikes around the island that seperated our houses. I have not and nor will I ever forget you and your family and how you all made us feel like your famliy. I also remember playing in the playroom when Peter, Jen or Ashley were home ane we would play ping pong. Thank you for all the memories your family gave me. That is 12 yrs of memories. Thanks! --Veronica Hartman (Middletown, PA)
So sorry to hear about Jason. He was an outstanding physician, a fine fellow & a good friend. I enjoyed the associations with him practicing at Holy Spirit & serving with him on their various boards & committees. --Buzz & Mimi Cohn (Naples, FL)
I was so sorry to hear of your loss! I first met Jason in nursing school, many years ago. He was such a strong part of the surgical community. Please know that Kenny and I send our sincere feelings of sorrow for you and your family. --Susie Kostelac (Mechanicsburg, PA)
My deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Litton family. I met Dr. Litton in 2005 and he performed surgery on me in July of 2006. He was a very nice man and he told me that normally he wouldn't do such a surgery because of my age however he saw the pain and the discomfort in trying to walk he said honey we're going to have to do it. He tried his best to keep me uplifted and away from fear. He was a beautiful man, person and doctor he will be greatly missed. --Carina Wright (Steelton, PA)
I met Dr. Litton 33 years ago when my daughter was only 4 hours old. She was born with 2 clubed feet. Dr's Litton gave my daughter the ability to walk and run. I will forever be greatful to him. He was my hero and I am so saddened by the news of his passing. My deepest sympathy to the entire Litton family. --Mary Ann Scheuren (Enola, PA)
Doctor Litton performed his touch to both of my knee (always dislocating) when I was a teenager (1969). He always had made me feel at ease and rewarded me with a kiss to the cheek. That ment a lot to me, For it showed how caring and tender he was. Years later in 2005 I had to see him again due to arthritis. He walked into the room and looked at me not remembering me but knew the knees in the Xray were his work. That really impressed me. God Bless to all the Litton family, You surly were blessed to have someone so special in your life. You will always have memories and his spirit shall engulf you. --Vera Gillis (Summerdale, PA)
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I met him in 1975 after a motorcycle accident. He was an awesome Dr. that put me back together. --L Drayer (Enola, PA)
My heart goes out to the family of Dr. Jason Litton. He was a wonderful doctor who had treated me for carpal tunnel release in 1999. I had all my fears and worries regarding the procedure kindly dealt with by this caring individual. I had such a wonderful experience that I referred him to several people, who also felt the same way I did. You will be in my thoughts and my prayers. -- Rochelle Dillman (York Haven, PA)
It is such a comfort to me to visit this site and read the stories and look at the pictures of Jason's full life. As we approach the anniversary of his death on the 5th, I just wanted the Litton Family to know that I will never forget the goodness and greatness of your husband and father! My love to you all as you continue to heal at the loss of him in your lives.
I am one of Jen's good friends from Mercersburg and had the pleasure of spending a week with the Littons in the summer of 1991 down in Hilton Head. It was a luxurious week and my first introduction to wine as the ripe age of 21! I am ever so grateful to the Littons for helping me appreciate a good grape! To this day, I have a wine fridge FULL of yummy reds and I credit Dr. Litton for paving that path. He certainly made quite the impression on me and I thank him for that. 8-)
As a general rule, I don't like doctors. I took up high impact aerobics in my late thirties...I'd been active before that but this was something new for me and of course at my age, suffered various and sundry minor injuries....but I was devoted to my exerise....I just didn't want to make things worse....Dr. Litton was somehow assigned to me for various injuries....and I loved his message.....the exercise was SO much more important than the minor discomforts I was experiencing that I needed to get back to the gym with some minor cautions.... I particularly remember him chuckling that women in their 40's were coming to see him with SPORT injuries...he loved that, he loved the change in our culture that older and older people would be trying to maintain their fitness rather than just give in to age.....he inspired me...that I COULD and SHOULD do what I was doing..... and I .....deeply regret his passing. He was an excellent doctor.
He did what a doctor should do. First do no harm...then get your patient back to functionality as soon as possible.
Peaceful rest, Dr.
Reflecting on the people who made our area feel like home to me, Jason, his love for all things vital, people he befriended with the same enthusiasm he opened a trophy wine, the unabashed loving embrace he greeted all of us with and the general joie de vivre he espoused was more a part of the extended family I was blessed with moving here than just about anyone else. Knowing Jason was an inspiration to grab ALL of life by the horns, to laugh, love and give until you are completely spent. I'll always love you and miss you Jason.
Odin Rathnam
I don't have nearly as much to say as his close friends because I knew Dr. Litton only as my doctor after a car accident that left me with a compound ulna fracture. I wouldn't have chosen a different doctor for the surgery, though. He seemed genuinely interested in me as a patient, and I always looked forward to seeing him at my OIP appts. I felt like I suddenly had a third grandpa. He was a truly awesome doctor. It's a shame, because there aren't many doctors left that invest themselves in their patients' lives like Dr. Litton did.
Jason and I met in September 1954 as freshmen at Trinity College. In the 54 years since then I have witnssed the arc of Jason's career from the classrooms in Hartford, where we studied together, to the Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, where he repaired my shoulder. Jason's journey has been beautiful. As if possessed of the sun's gentle rays, Jason touched his family, friends, patients and his community with light, warmth, growth and healing. Jason has gone into the night, but the glow from his passage will light our way for a long time to come. Frankin Kury
We met in 1964 as young Air Force lieutenants, each with smart, beautiful and competent wives and the cutest of little children. At Orlando Air Force Base, Jason was fulfilling his commitment as a medical officer and I as a documentary motion picture officer. A mutual friend insisted that Susan and I meet Linda and Jason--that our interests, personalities and fledgling little families were seemed meant for friendship. She was right. On all sorts of levels, we connected, and enjoyed that new friendship. It's been mutually treasured for 45 years!
Jason and Linda have enhanced and stimulated life for many others, of course, but today, Pamela Zilly and I especially mourn the loss of the exciting, affectionate, challenging and horizon-broadening-presence in our lives, that has been Jason Litton. Thank goodness we all knew and had expressed our love and admiration many times through the years.
The pleasure, respect, cultural and intellectual enthusiasm, love for our children, sense of humor and mutual irreverance have been treasures I've been conscious of since 1964. Nothing's been left unexpressed.
Though we may be selfishly angry that Jason has been taken from us, we are grateful and moved by how much of his life-enhancing and life-affirming spirit characterizes Linda, Ashley, Peter and Jennifer. We will make sure the wonderful connection of 1964 will keep going, expand and be treasured by all of us for a long, long time!
Much, much love to Linda and the wonderful family she and Jason have given us.
Peter Vogt and Pamela Zilly
September 8, 2008
Jason showed me how to truly enjoy life: that the joy of the finer things in life lies as much in sharing them with the people you love as it does in the appreciation of the glass of wine, the gourmet meal, the piece of music or art itself.
I'll share an anecdote that I think captures a small insight into these parts of Jason's personality: Jason was giving me a tour of his pewter and when we got to the drinking vessels in his office I asked what pewter did to the taste of beer. He said, "one way to find out", grabbed a 17th century stein for me and a chalice that purportedly belonged to William of Orange for himself and promptly filled them with beer.
Jason's generosity was boundless and contagious, as was his enthusiasm for an incredibly astounding array of subjects, both mundane and arcane. He pursued ideas and experiences with a vigor I've not seen in many other people and the world is smaller without him.
I will raise a toast tonight, with friends, to Jason and his profound love of drinking life to the lees.
I first met Jason at Sheila and Linda's 25th reunion at Mount Holyoke. Sheila had convinced me that any loving husband would be delighted to accompany his wife for such a benchmark occasion. Anticipating sheer boredom I collected my Sports Illustrated and a book to read. Well, when I first connected with Jason, he told me Linda had put the exact same type of pressure on him. So, from the very start Jason and I had something in common. Books and magazines could be stowed away when we discovered to our great pleasure, that we had many, many more important things in common; such as a love of wine, gourmet feasts, travel and medicine. Since Linda and Jason would be passing within five minutes of our house on their way home from reunions, we invited them to stop by for dinner: steaks from the freezer accompanied by a '61 Ch. Margaux. A special bond was in the making.
We traveled together on 6 overseas trips: champagne toasts to the midnight sun on a cruise through the fiords of Norway; standing in awe of the pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt; quenching multiple thirsts with wine and beer in Belgium and Germany; sherry, olives and almonds ina sunny square in Madrid; marveling at the Taj Mahal in India; and finally, drinking fine wine in luxury on a barge trip through parts of Burgundy, France with a fabulous chef on board who deserved at least one more star than the 3 star Lameloise (where we had dinner one night) in Chagny.
So special to me are the great wines we shared together. When Jason was at our house for dinner, I would always try to bring out my best. We had a special retirement dinner for Jason in our home on Dataw Island, SC in Jan. 2007 to celebrate his official retirement. Among the offerings on Sheila's menu were caviar, fois gras, and prime filets. (Linda is such an outstanding gourmet cook that Sheila tries very hard to make her own mark.) I served a magnum of '61 Ch. Palmer that I had been saving to welcome Jason to the world of dynamic retirees (even though he continued to do medical exam for workman's comp for another year).
But I do have to admit that, when it came to wines Jason was impossible to compete with as his cellar was about 10 times the size of mine. I will never forget his generosity in sharing his best wines with me and his genuine joy in doing so.
The wonderful conversations we shared, and his never ending thirst for experiencing new things are memories I will cherish. The loss of his friendship and his companionship is immeasurable. I will deeply miss my best friend.
Alan Korhammer
Linda and I were classmates and dorm mates at Mount Holyoke College where we became fast friends. Despite different career paths and nomadic domesticity paths, we sustained the "friendship connection" through the oft maligned Holiday Letters, which are usually sent out at the end of the year.
Then came our 25th Reunion, where through some sense of witchcraft, we (unbeknownst to each other) conned our husbands into escorting us to an ALL WOMEN'S COLLEGE reunion. Hallelujah and WOW, let the fireworks commence. Jason and Alan hit it off like gangbusters. We began planning visits and trips and all types of occasions where we could just relax or be adventurous together.
It is with joy that I remember and treasure our many travel adventures (six international trips) with Jason and Linda. I especially remember successfully seeking and then toasting the midnight sun on a cruise/working ship making its way up through the Norwegian fiords (one passenger on board had made the trip 8 times seeking that elusive midnight sun --- we brought him good luck). But what fun we had at each of the little local ports, exploring the heart of Norwegian Villages while fish, mail and other cargo were off loaded and then new fish, mail and cargo on-loaded. The little shops were a treasure trove of things that we "just had to have."
My life of knowing Jason is one of joy. Not only was he a dear friend during the "good times," he gave me the encouragement and support I desperately needed during a medical dark period of my life. I thank him with my whole heart for that. But that is the Jason I knew, someone who truly cared about people, committing himself fully to sharing himself in enhancing the lives of others.
I remember the last dinner I prepared for Jason. This was a few days prior to his leaving Dataw to go north for new testing. It was birthday time for Linda, Alan and Harriett, wife of another couple who are good friends. So I did a joint birthday dinner, complete with baloons, cake, candles and tacky singing birthday cards. I prepared a surf and turf menu because Jason absolutely loved lobster and Linda prefers steak.
Since this was such a special occasion and I was not sure when I might be making dinner for Jason again, I got the BIG ones, 2 and 1/2 pounders. BIG MISTAKE! My newly purchased lobster crackers were as effective as an ant against an elephant. So we had to resort to hammers. (You should see Linda wielding a hammer!!!) But once retrieved from the shell, the meat was tender, moist and sweet. Jason ate all 2 and 1/2 pounds. It saddens me to think that it was the last dinner I would ever make for him.
What is so bittersweet and heartbreaking is that the four of us, along with three other couples, had made plans and reserved a ten person barge for another vintaage wine/gourmet food extravangaza on a fantasy barge so we could explore the mysteries and beauty of northern Burgundy. Jason and the rest of us were rip-roaring excited about the treat ahead of us. But ever so sadly, the trip, which was booked last year, was scheduled for this month, September, the month that Jason left us with our grief. (Because of Jason's prognosis, and the fact that it would be unthinkable to continue with the trip without him, we cancelled the trip last March.) But we must take heart in the fact that he shared so much of himself with us and that he left us with fondest memories of the wit and joy he brought into our lives.
I cannot fully express how much I am going to miss my dearest friend. Jason, Bon Voyage! May the music you love so passionately always be with you, resonating in your heart and soul. May there always by a first growth vintage glass of wine at you side for sipping as the music fills your spirit. And may there be a steamed lobster on your plate every now and then.
I miss you terribly,
Sheila
The Kirker family grieves with the Litton family today. We will never forget so much joy and happiness shared with Jason and his adoring family on so many Christmas Eves.
One in particular reminds me of the diversity inside of Jason Litton. My mother, Jeanne Kirker, received a "Singing Machine" (what is now known as a karaoke machine) for Christmas. My mother couldn't sing, so we all laughed in hysterics at her good-natured attempts. But then Jason took the microphone. We quickly learned this brilliant physician and surgeon was a closet lounge singer. He held onto the microphone for pretty much the rest of the night, to all of our delight.
Sing on Brother! Love Donna Kirker Morgan
I worked with Dr. Litton for too many years to count - as an xray technologist and also assisting him with his patients. During office hours, he was very focused on his work and expected his staff to be the same. However, at the end of office hours, he always said "thank you" to his staff. That meant alot.
He loved his family and was very proud of them. He had updated pictures of them in his exam rooms. And at Thanksgiving, he was so excited because the entire family would be together.
Office parties were always fun with Jason around. He loved to dance and enjoyed giving out the Christmas bonuses and kisses.
So Jason, thank you for the opportunity to work with you. I'll miss you and your kisses.
I met Dr. Litton on a day that he worked at Grandview Surgery Center. All I saw were the whites of his eyes, our cars were inches away from crashing head on. We were rushing around,I was going to lunch and he was going to Holy Spirit. After about 1 1/2 years later he encouraged me to join the OIP team, a little more pushing from Dr. Litton and I gave in. I was given a great opportunity by working at OIP, thanks Dr. Litton. I needed the push. You will be greatly missed. Lisamarie Barrick, CRA @ K2M,Inc.
Jason was a dear friend. We operated on the same day each week at Holy Spirit for close to thirty years. One locker apart. As you can imagine, there were many shared experiences.
Unfortunately,his clothes did not fit me; and so I never asked to borrow any. He was somewhat posessive about his ties, and so I assumed they were off limits. There are limits to every friendship,I suppose.
When I broke my right thumb skiing at Vail on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 1987, I thought of no on else but Jason,and called him before the plaster was dry on the temporary cast.
Jason did such a great job in the OR one week later that I have absolutely no loss of function. In a sense he saved my career as an ENT surgeon,and I remain indebted.
When my younger son dislocated his shoulder playing lacrosse at the Harrisburg Academy several years later,naturally the call went out; and Jason once again came to the rescue.
There is no better professional and personal endorsement than when one doctor selects another to care for him and his or her family.
In addition, Jason had a certain sense of elan,and a sharp sense of humor and incite which was uniquely admirable. Even more importantly, Jason possessed a strong sense of commitment to his family,friends,professional associates and colleagues and humanity in general. We will all miss him , but our lives are much richer for having known him.
Norman Woldorf
I am one of Jen's good friends from Mercersburg and had the pleasure of spending a week with the Littons in the summer of 1991 down in Hilton Head. It was a luxurious week and my first introduction to wine as the ripe age of 21! I am ever so grateful to the Littons for helping me appreciate a good grape! To this day, I have a wine fridge FULL of yummy reds and I credit Dr. Litton for paving that path. He certainly made quite the impression on me and I thank him for that. 8-)
As a general rule, I don't like doctors. I took up high impact aerobics in my late thirties...I'd been active before that but this was something new for me and of course at my age, suffered various and sundry minor injuries....but I was devoted to my exerise....I just didn't want to make things worse....Dr. Litton was somehow assigned to me for various injuries....and I loved his message.....the exercise was SO much more important than the minor discomforts I was experiencing that I needed to get back to the gym with some minor cautions.... I particularly remember him chuckling that women in their 40's were coming to see him with SPORT injuries...he loved that, he loved the change in our culture that older and older people would be trying to maintain their fitness rather than just give in to age.....he inspired me...that I COULD and SHOULD do what I was doing..... and I .....deeply regret his passing. He was an excellent doctor.
He did what a doctor should do. First do no harm...then get your patient back to functionality as soon as possible.
Peaceful rest, Dr.
Reflecting on the people who made our area feel like home to me, Jason, his love for all things vital, people he befriended with the same enthusiasm he opened a trophy wine, the unabashed loving embrace he greeted all of us with and the general joie de vivre he espoused was more a part of the extended family I was blessed with moving here than just about anyone else. Knowing Jason was an inspiration to grab ALL of life by the horns, to laugh, love and give until you are completely spent. I'll always love you and miss you Jason.
Odin Rathnam