Jeffrey Anthony Jaeger

Dr. Jeffrey Anthony Jaeger, 41, passed away on September 14, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family after his long and heroic battle with cancer. A small, in-person service will be held in Decatur, GA followed by a virtual Celebration of Life. Jeffrey (Jeff) was born in Bismarck, ND to Cherie and Roger Jaeger. During his childhood his family lived in Miles City, MT; Kansas City, MO; and Fargo, ND. Jeff had many fond memories of his childhood and all of the places he lived and loved returning to visit and staying connected with family and friends. He was very close with his parents and sisters and had a deep commitment and love of family that carried throughout his life. Jeff had many interests and talents and enjoyed playing a variety of sports and being a part of show choir.

Jeff attended college at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL and remained in Chicago for two years after graduating before moving to Seattle, WA to pursue his graduate studies. While at Northwestern, in addition to honors such as being on the Dean’s List, Jeff co-founded the a cappella group, Freshman 15, which continues to this day. The group has touched the lives of many with the power of music and formed a brotherhood that has been deeply influential for the past and current members. In college, Jeff was also a Residence Hall Coordinator providing mentorship and support for fellow college students. He could understand and connect with anyone and those he interacted with felt welcomed and respected. These traits made him an incredible clinician in training and friend during his graduate studies. He graduated with his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Washington in 2010. Jeff met his wife, Briana, on his first day of graduate school. They were married six years later on October 16, 2010 in Kansas City, MO.

After Seattle, Jeff continued to live in several different cities including San Diego, CA; Durham, NC; Iowa City, IA; Kansas City, MO; and Atlanta, GA. In every place he lived, Jeff had an incredible ability to develop friendships and connect with people in a meaningful way that left a lasting positive impression. Jeff was a gifted and dedicated clinician and educator, going above and beyond for his patients and supervisees. He could connect with anyone and had a profound empathy for others, changing so many lives for the better. In 2013, Jeff and Briana welcomed their elder daughter, Ella, and in 2015 welcomed their younger daughter, Cora. Jeff was a loving and devoted husband and father. His girls were the light of his life and he took such pride and joy in being a dad. He made sure each day was filled with love, joy, and adventure. From exploring nature, movie and games nights, building elaborate Lego sets, and making music, to traveling and building creative family traditions like pumpkin carving and making gingerbread houses, Jeff delighted in finding new and creative ways to show the girls the beauty and wonder in life. Jeff instilled a zest for life that exudes from his daughters. He was also a true partner in life with his wife, Briana, and a constant source of love, strength, and support, even while he was struggling with the physical cruelties of cancer. Jeff always made sure those he loved were taken care of and did it with such whole-heartedness and generosity of spirit, giving of his full self. He lived life to the fullest, in the big and small moments, reflected through his many major achievements and the daily “little” things that have left a lasting impact felt across so many.

During the last year of his life, Jeff continued to live life with joy, love, and deep generosity even when experiencing major physical challenges due to his numerous intensive cancer treatments. He maintained seeing his patients until he could no longer muster the breath needed for full sessions and treated everyone with kindness even when in immense pain. Jeff lived his too few years with such love, compassion, integrity, kindness, deep generosity, and passion for life that would fill many lifetimes and gave this gift to his wife and daughters to sustain them as they miss him every day in every way. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Briana Woods-Jaeger; daughters Ella Vivienne Jaeger and Cora Elise Jaeger; parents Roger and Cherie Jaeger; sisters Jennifer Muggli and her husband Eric and children Nathan and Jordyn and Michelle Schweitzer and her husband Jon and their children Hunter and Harper; and his loving in-laws. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, USA, the American Cancer Society, or a fund set up for his daughters: https://gofund.me/06686b9c