I didn’t know Jon real well, and that is my loss. However, there was one memory I have that I think epitomizes the incredible love Jon had for the kids. You may recall a get-together Donna had at the river about 3-4 years ago (if memory serves) during the summer. A lot of us were out back or down on the dock, and I had gone to the car to get the gloves for Amy and I to play catch. There was Jon over by the cars with an inflatable kiddie pool y’all had brought down. Poor Jon was huffing and puffing and doing his best to blow that thing up as Sam and Joelle waited impatiently. It was a hot day and Jon was working up a pretty good sweat, and the pool still looked pretty flat. As I got to the car and saw all of this, it struck me that I had bought Nancy an air compressor to keep in her car in case she ever had a flat. I got it out, plugged it into the cigarette lighter, and we had a pool in no time. Jon was so thankful, but I know that absent that mechanical device, he would have stayed out there blowing until midnight if he had to. As a dad that has a similar love for my daughter, I sensed that, and really admired the sacrifice he was making then, and on probably every other occasion like it. So many parents would have told their kids to forget it, that it was too hot, it would take too long, the river is right there, etc. Not Jon – he was too good a father to ever say anything like that.

That is the enduring memory I will have of Jon, and I am so glad I got to know him a little. In the years to come, the pain you feel now will subside, and the thousdands of fond memories will bring a smile to your face, and likewise for the girls. Dane’s youth will prevent him from those strong memories, but I know you and the girls will make sure he continues to know he had a great daddy.

Written Dec. 7, 2002