Eulogy of Jonathan by Melanie (Church Friend)

Hi my name is melanie, and I've known Jon for about 7 years. During these several years, Jon has been a very dear friend to me, he was my best friend, my brother and my partner in crime.

I first met him when I was 15 at wesley's Children's ministry camp. Jon is 12 years older than me and he was an adult leader while I was a youth leader then. During our outing, We skated to the nearest 7-eleven to buy water.. But he barely made it to 7-eleven before he started to complain that his feet was hurting.. he decided to take out his blades and walk back barefoot. I skated back quickly to change to my slippers and ran back for him with his dirty birks.. This was our first encounter, and I'm sure it was a moment both of us would never forget because from the moment I held his dirty birks I knew we would be friends forever.

Moving forward, we were serving in the 1130 tweenage department together. Jon was an amazing teacher and he was great with kids. The kids loved and looked up to him. During Cm promotion or in camp, kids would pray and hope that they are in his group. He was also loved by the teachers as well. He supported the department and the teachers individually, always asking "how are you?" And "do you need help?" We used to joke that I was the "youthful" one and he was the "useful" one, and when I left for Melbourne, a comment was made "aiya the youthful one is gone, but at least still we still have the useful one"! But to be honest, Jon was more youthful then me. Despite the age gap between us, Jon was a child at heart. Looking at him yesterday, I saw the nerf gun by his side, and it reminded me of the time when he just bought the sniper additional part for his gun and we were taking turns to shoot our used paper cup that we placed strategically on top of his car.

Jon was a great listener and a mentor to many of us. We often met up together with my best friend Rachel, and we would talk about everything and anything, from boys to baking. He had the tendency of saying very silly stuff that actually did make some sense. When I was failing in JC, Jon said this to me "Mello, you're already at rock bottom. You can't go any further down except to go up so don't worry so much." This remark stuck with me and was one of the most encouraging thing anyone has ever said to me. He was a guide to many of the children in cm, and he would often take the time to walk with them and talk with them. His children were his pride and joy and he was always so happy to hang out with them. Even with his sudden and devastating departure, he has definitely left a mark on all of us with his wise words and his love for all of us.

Jon is not Jon without his quirks, such as scolding people for farting in his car and then after a few minutes you hear a soft high pitch "poooooooot" and when you look at him he will say "this is my car!!". Or how he NEVER washes his coffee cup at work and he claims it gives his coffee more taste.. And He always claims to know everything and when you say "I thought you know everything?" He will reply "I'm just testing you." But we love him for who he is, and no matter how late he was, we would always wait for him. For now, we will be waiting to see him again.

Dearest Jon, you will forever be our ohana. Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind. We love you and we will see you soon. Ciao~