Jason Stranahan was born October 31, 1906, in Oneonta, N.Y., and he was educated at Cherry Valley High School in 1923-26, then on to Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., graduating with a B.A. degree in 1930. He received his master's degree from New York University in 1937. Stranahan was a fine all-around athlete both in school and college winning letters in football, basketball and baseball in high school, and football, track and lacrosse at Union. Stranahan was an outstanding midfielder at Union where he played on the 1929 Intercollegiate National Champion team.

After college Stranahan continued his athletic career by playing club football and lacrosse for many years in the New York area and also played in the short lived Professional Box Lacrosse League for both the New York Yankees and Toronto. In addition to officiating high school, college and club lacrosse, Stranahan was a multiple sport coach (lacrosse 1935-55), physical education teacher, and director of athletics at Manhasset High School on Long Island. He was editor of the Metropolitan and Long Island Scholastic Lacrosse Association Annual Report for four years and spent 12 years as a member of the USILA development committee.

A sergeant in the 101st Infantry, Stranahan served his country overseas with great distinction from 1942-45. Jay married Erma Bethel, May 26, 1933, and they had one son, John L. Stranahan.