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Bruce, Attorney Jason Whittingon Jason was born November 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest son of James C. Bruce, Sr., a Professor of German at the University of Chicago, and Grace Bruce (nee Young), a Chicago Public Schools kindergarten teacher. Jason grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, where he attended the University of Chicago Laboratory schools. He received a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Virginia in 1985, a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Stanford Law School in 1988, and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities. Jason practiced law at the corporate law firm Jenner & Block in Chicago from 1988 to 1991, and as a solo practitioner in Hyde Park from 1992 until his passing on September 9, 2013. Throughout his professional career, Jason dedicated himself to various civic causes, serving on the Board of Directors of the Blue Gargoyle Youth Service, the Harper Court Foundation, the Hyde Park Coop, and the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, the latter of which he also served as President. Equally dedicated to the legal profession, Jason was a Hearing Panel member for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Illinois Supreme Court, and a member of the Trial Advocacy Teaching Faculty at the Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. An avid hobbyist software developer, Jason developed two smartphone apps for the webOS operating system, and was especially proud one of these apps, RLTO, had an average user rating of 5 stars. Jason W. Bruce is survived by his wife, La Veda Underwood Bruce; his sons, William and Matthew Bruce; his father, James C. Bruce, Sr.; his mother, Grace Y. Bruce; and his brother, James C. Bruce, Jr.
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Jason was a good friend of mine at the University of Virginia. He was my roommate in 1984, and we talked about books every night until two or three am. I really new him for only one year but he influenced me and I always remembered him. A brilliant generous inspired person.
Jim Stafford
December 3, 2013
We just learned of Jason's passing. We didn't know the extent of his illness, but did have the chance to relay to him that we truly believed in him and thought he was a brilliant attorney. Even though we were his clients, we felt like his friends. We will always think of him when we hear John Legend, one of his favorites. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
The Cannons
October 22, 2013
I knew Jason and his brother growing up. His mom grace was very close to my aunt Bess Perkins-Cade. Jason was very smart and very nice, he will be missed.
alllison perkins-thomas
October 9, 2013
Jason Bruce, a proud Hyde Parker will be greatly missed, not just by family and friends, but by many who knew him for his outreach to the business community and others less fortunate.
Kenneth Newman
October 8, 2013
Unbeknownst to us, my father Reggie Willis is close to Jason, and I knew Jason for 18 years to be the most solid, respectable and intelligent guy! His smile and laugh is infectious as I would call on him for advice during our friendship, he never faltered to dole out the truth and nothing but the truth. Hyde Park will not be the same and my father painfully explained to me 5 months ago that Jason was terminally ill, I cried out "No, not Jason! He is one of the good guys." Pops will miss having meals with Jason at Valois in Hyde Park and chatting it up. We love you, Jason.
October 6, 2013
Jason was a good friend and colleague. I met Jason through a mutual friend and we got to know each other when I moved to Hyde Park. As fellow attorneys, we discussed legal issues and law practice matters. I would often grab lunch with Jason on weekends at the Valois Restaurant where we would discuss current events and the latest books that we had read. I moved the DC area in 2005. I saw Jason shortly before I left and he was very proud of his family. I am deeply saddened to hear of Jason's passing. He was a great friend and colleague with whom I always enjoyed speaking. My prayers are with his wife, LaVeda, his sons, his parents, and his brother.
Abel Smith
October 3, 2013
Jason was a valued and respected colleague, on whom I leaned for sound advice in managing my solo practice. I already miss him -- glad to have known him!
Phyllis Price
October 3, 2013
One of the greatest stories of my life involved Jason Bruce. We were in 5th grade together and played on the same high school basketball team. I saw him just before he fell ill for the last time. He will be missed. My prayers and condolences go out to his mother, Grace, his older brother, his wife (who grew up on the block with me), his children and the rest of his family.
Paul Robertson
October 1, 2013
I attended the University of Virgina with Jason and I have many fond memories of the time we spent together during our first year. I'm especially proud that I was his "Kappa Sweetheart" when he pledged - Kappa Alpha Psi. Although we didn't keep in touch over the years, I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He was a funny and kind individual.
Gayle Hardison
October 1, 2013
Jason was a friend and colleague who was always known to act professionally and with the utmost dignity. He was a highly educated and driven man who was one of the best and brightest within the legal profession. He treated all, no matter their station in life or background, with respect and compassion, never acting as an elitist or above his neighbor. He dedicated himself to the practice of law within his community, choosing to serve those in need, rather than pursue the biggest office in a silk stocking law firm. Jason Bruce will undoubtedly be missed by his family, but in addition to those closest to him, he will be sorely missed by his Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers, his professional colleagues, and most of all, by the everyday people he represented and served in the community. We miss you Jason, and may you rest in peace.Yours in the bond and in the profession. Larry Rogers, Jr.
Larry Rogers
September 30, 2013
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