Sculpture represents Jason Puckett’s love of the outdoors
A snow sculpture is melting the hearts of a Yorkton family after the passing of their loved one.
Jason Puckett was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in October 2014. After a long battle with the disease, he passed away in December 2015.
A few days after his passing, Yorkton received its first big snowfall.
It was an opportunity for Stan Reed to create a touching tribute to his friend Jason Puckett.
Every year, Reed builds a snow sculpture in his front yard, but his wife, Tricia, wanted to do something different to lift the spirits of the Puckett family.
“Trish said ‘hey, we should build it on their lawn this year,” said Reed.
Reed and his family asked Puckett’s wife, Shelly, for permission to create the sculpture on her front lawn.
With help from children in the community, Reed filled snow into a wooden box, forming a block of snow.
Reed kept the design of the piece a secret. He spent around 20 hours sculpting the snow over the holidays.
Shelly and her two children watched as the snow creation transformed in front of their house.
“We weren’t sure what it was going to be. He always leaves it as a surprise of what the sculpture will be,” said Shelly Puckett.
It was unveiled as a giant fish leaping out of the water in memory of Jason Puckett.
“It was fun to surprise them with it,” said Reed. “We have a lot of family memories fishing with the Pucketts and with Jason.”
Jason Puckett spent his summers at the lake and his winters ice fishing with friends and family.
“They named it Jason’s fish. It’s definitely in tribute to him and its been very nice over the Christmas and New Year season to have that bright spot in a hard time. It’s nice to come home to and have it all lit up,” said Shelly.
“We see it right outside our kitchen window, when we’re sitting at the table, and it sort of seems like an extension of the family. It just makes us think of him.”
Shelly says people have been stopping in front of the house to take pictures of Jason’s fish.
“It’s nice to let people know the real meaning behind it. There’s more to it than just another snow sculpture,” she said.
“The whole thing is a celebration of Jason’s life.”
Source: cbc.ca
