My Son Jon was my middle child- he has an older sister Jona and a younger brother Jason who has been with Apopka Police Department going on 30 years. They were all close growing up. Jon was always the fun guy - loved to make you laugh. He also was the Rebel - lost interest in school at 16 so he quit - I was furious but he went to work for a friend of mine - Dumptrucks & Bobcats - Excavation/Dirt Work. We thought Jon would hate it & go back to school - But No - he loved being with the "older Guys"
Then Jon's girlfriend - his sister's friend who was in college and her Dad - retired veteran -along with Jon's brother & stepdad - Jeff Hammond who are Marines- convinced Jon to get in the Marines also- well not going to happen with a GED - SO Jon went back to school & got his credited hours to become a Marine - (Proudly served-4 years)
Jon & Janet were also married but later Divorced- afterwards Jon went back to Construction - Building pools - he loved working outside using his God given Talents. He worked as Hard as He Played - Unfortunately Jon was involved in a car wreck - broadsided by Some one running a stop sign- which unknowingly began an addiction to pain Pills - fast forward a few years of traveling to California to surf the Pacific - Jon came back to Florida.
2009 I walked in on Jon attempting Suicide- it was then I received "some help" from the VA in Gainesville. Jon was diagnosed with PTSD & Bipolar issues. He was treated & given Meds - which Jon soon stopped taking and refused to continue as he didn't want People to know he had a Problem - "Stigma"
He tried to get back in The Marines to get his time built up for his Pension - he was 2 years too old! So he went to the Army National Guard & they said Yes - so he joined. Jon was always Proud to Serve. He was with The Camp Blanding base for nine years- until the day of his passing - January 13,2018- Unfortunately a guy named Austin Smiley (now serving time for murder) who worked for Jon's pool company as a laborer - gave Jon "Something" for his back pain - Fentanyl - My Son Jon took his last Breath at 4:59 a.m.
Jon never had children- just brought home puppies. Jon was one of those guys - if you didn't know him you certainly wanted to know him. Jon loved Surfing and Fishing & Skateboarding as well as Hunting. Like I said Jon Loved the Outdoors & excelled at Everything he did.
He loved his Family & Friends with All he had. His Two nephews & Three Nieces Adored "Uncle Jon" Members of The National Guard spoke at his Celebration - where I found out Jon had the Most Voluntary hours Ever.
Jon Was a Great Soldier - like Sheriff Dennis Lemma said - " Jon spent half his adult years serving his Country" Jon had an infectious laugh like No Other. He is Sorely Missed and Will Never be Forgotten as long as I have breath - love from Jon's Mom
