Hundreds of people have mourned an Everton FC fan after his 'soulmate' fiancée described his sudden death the week before their wedding.
Lisa Clark and Jason Burton first met and fell in love as teenagers, but it took 30 years for the couple to realise they were soulmates, rekindling their relationship in May 2021.
But devastatingly, just eight months later Jason was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 48 on November 3.
READ MORE: Supporters shout and swear as Strand Gang dealers brought down
Determined to marry her soulmate, Lisa proposed to Jason on December 9 and planned to get married on January 30 of this year, but just one week before the date, Jason died on January 23.
Tributes have come pouring in from people right across Merseyside following the "devastating" loss.
One ECHO reader said: "Terribly sad news. Condolences to his widow and also his father, Selwyn, who has lost not only his wife but also his two sons, both to cancer."
Another said: "This is heartbreaking, I'm glad you have so much support."
A third added: "I’m so sorry to hear that. Just keep strong, he’ll be watching over you, keep strong."
Jasons' funeral on Tuesday, February 15, St Paul's Church in Pontyclun, Wales, was packed full with hundreds of Jason's family members and friends who gathered to say goodbye to him for the last time.
He was buried with his mum, Wendy, and brother, Darren, who also died of cancer.
ECHO reader Grace Fitzpatrick wrote: "How sad, poor man rest in peace lovely. Deepest sympathy to your lovely partner and the family and friends."
Kim Nicholson said: "So very sad for your loss . Thinking of you all at this very sad time. Be strong and take every day as it comes."
Margo Sargo said: "Wow, really don't know what to say. So horrible, Godbless everyone."
Bev Maciejewska added: "So sad, life is so cruel."
Tash Jay Quirk said: "Very sad makes me cry things like that."
Elaine Monaghan said: "Rip Jason, deepest sympathy to his loving family from a Liverpool fan."
Another reader added: "The Everton family feel your loss."
On January 22, partner Lisa said Jason messaged her at around 10pm but in the morning his dad and friends were unable to get hold of him.
Lisa said she started to worry and her son and Jason's best friend went to check on him at his home in Beddau. She said the pair found Jason unconscious and called for an ambulance which arrived in about six minutes.
But heartbreakingly, when Lisa arrived at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital at around 12.30pm hoping to see Jason, she was told he had died in the ambulance at around 12.14pm.
It is estimated that around 200 people attended Jason's send-off, which made her feel "really blessed and proud" despite her pain.
Lisa added: "In the run-up to the funeral, I've been missing him so much. In the house it's just so quiet, there's nobody to cook a meal with or talk to or do any of those normal things with. It's all gone and it's just me walking around like a lost soul."
The family said they would gratefully receive donations in Jason's memory to Cancer Research Wales.
Receive newsletters with the lat est news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
