Community leader pays tribute to ‘best friend’

AB r e c h i n community leader has led tributes to her “best friend” Jason King, who died on Friday.

Community council chairwoman Jill Scott said the pair had been close for 35 years after meeting when she was 12 and he was 13.

Jason was a well-known figure in the north Angus town and Jill said he would want others to learn from his lifelong battle with alcoholism.

She said: “My heart is broken and I will miss my friend forever, as will many people.

“He was the kindest man I know and popular, who made many friends from all walks of life.

“He accepted and was happy with his lot, he never let his journey get him down or make him bitter.

“We all have a lesson to learn from him and I am proud he was my best friend.”

Jason, 48, died peacefully in his sleep at his flat in Mo u n t s k i p Road, she said.

Jill said he had suffered from heart problems and had battled alcohol addiction throughout his life, before finally stopping drinking three years ago.

“Jason was hospitalised almost three years ago, seriously ill with pneumonia,” she said.

“He at that point made the decision to stop drinking completely and that is exactly what he did.

“Sadly, his poor health continued but he always had a smile on his face, life began to be good.

“The last few months he was incredibly excited to be moving to a new flat, planning, buying goods and furniture that he had saved hard for.

“His flat was a palace and he had everything he wanted and more.”

Jill said he would want others to learn from the effect that alcohol had on his life.

“Ja s o n was my best friend for 35 years, we met when I was 12 years old and he was 13,” she said.

“As teenagers do, we bought our first carry-out together, a bottle of cider each.

“Alcohol took Jason on a journey that it didn’t for me, thankfully.”

Jason was assaulted in 2015 which resulted in him receiving a brain injury.

She said this had a profound impact on his life and afterwards he suffered from memory loss, slurred speech, poor coordination and fatigue.

She said it often led to people wrongly assuming he was drunk and urged others to show a little more kindness.

“We all need to do better and show understanding and be less critical of others,” she said.

“We will not achieve this unless we open our minds and respect the battles that some people face.”

Jason King, from Brechin, was described as a kind and popular man who was well known in the community.