Cape Coral honors Jason Verdow's memory 50 years after his tragic death

CAPE CORAL - Cape Coral marks a somber milestone as the community remembers a tragedy that struck 50 years ago. The murder of young Jason Verdow changed the city forever, and his memory continues to resonate with those who knew him.

Tom Gorton, Jason's baseball coach, shared his memories of the boy.

"When I first met him? He was late for practice," said Gorton. "I had practice at Cape Elementary School, and all the kids were there, but he wasn't, so I looked across the field, and here he comes, walking."

Gorton coached Jason on two teams, the Indians and the Yankees.

"He was with his dad at the country club because his dad worked at the country club, and that's why he was late," said Gorton, recalling the day with emotion.

Jason's energy and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on Gorton and his son, Tom Gorton Jr.

"This is 50 years ago, but I still remember him being like, like, very peppy, very energetic, very ready to play ball," said Gorton Jr.

The Gortons have kept a lineup card from those days, its ink fading but the memories vivid.

"He was a lefty pitcher, lefty catcher. He played first base, but I remember him being really good," said Gorton Jr.

In the 1970s, Cape Coral was a growing community where children played freely and doors were left unlocked. But that sense of safety was shattered on March 5, 1976.

"His mother called me up," said Gorton. "She said he didn't come home from school."

Gorton Jr. also recalled the day vividly.

"I remember the day that you knew he was killed, on my birthday, March 5, 76," he said.

Jason was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered by Arthur Goode III, who had a history of molesting children in the Northeast. Goode was later arrested, convicted, and executed in Florida in 1984.

"The day it happened, I took a deep breath," said Gorton.

The crime had a profound impact on Cape Coral, altering the community's perception of safety.

"It changed the community, I think, opened the eyes of some people in the community," said Gorton. "But it just seems like people, a lot of people, forgot about it."

For those who knew Jason, forgetting was never an option.

"It'll be 50 years since Jason's passing," said Gorton Jr. "I remember at least once a year, or not more."

Jason Verdow Memorial Park now stands where he once played baseball, a tribute to his memory and a place where new generations learn the game he loved.

"I don't want people to forget why, while that plaque is up there, and what the whole story is about," said Gorton. "It's such a positive place up there to go up there, I can go up and just sit in the car and watch the kids play."

The field remains a place of remembrance, with Gorton's grandson now playing there, bridging generations.

"One of his teachers, after all this took place about five years ago, gave me a slip of paper with him that he was writing," said Gorton. "He was only, I think it was in his second grade, and said, my name is Jason Verdow, and I want to become a baseball player."

Jason's dreams live on in the hearts of those who remember him, ensuring he is never forgotten in Cape Coral.