Jonathan Powell Memorial

MARCH 16, 1998 - October 19, 2002

PRINCETON - Jonathan W. "Jon Jon" Powell, 4, of 168 Cardinal Ave., Quail Valley Estates, Princeton, died peacefully in the arms of his mother and the hands of his father Oct. 19, 2002, in the Duke University Medical Center following a courageous battle with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Jon was born March 16, 1998. The lives of his parents, Tim and Melissa Powell are forever blessed by Jon's short but precious life. Jon's love for life enabled him to touch many lives and accomplish more than most who live out an entire lifetime. He was a member of Kee Street United Methodist Church but also attended Princeton Church of God and Grace Christian Center, Charlotte, N.C. He attended Bland Street United Methodist Church Preschool, Bluefield, and served as honorary Grand Marshall for both the Mercer County Relay for Life and the Concord College Cancer Walk. In recognition of his valiant fight with cancer, the state of West Virginia, along with the cities of Bluefield and Princeton, have proclaimed September 27 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. Jon was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John Anderson of Pineville. In addition to his parents, Jon is survived by his grandparents, Mary Anderson of Pineville, Robert and Norma Sloan Powell of Princeton; his aunts, Carol Garrett and husband, Fred, Barbara Gilmore and husband, Jack, all of Pineville, Letha Wallace of Mooresville, N.C., Deanna Fehrer and husband, Damien, of Farmville, Va.; his great-aunt, Edna McVey and husband, Jim, of Charleston. He is also survived by a multitude of very special friends and family. A service to celebrate the life of Jon will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Burns Wornal Chapel of Memorial Funeral Directory, Athens Road, Princeton, with the Rev. Greg Godwin and Pastor Derek Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton. Pallbearers will be Omar "Coach" Aboulhosn, Bo Garrett, Jordan Godwin, Mike Mays, Greg Shay and Matt Bishop

10-24-02

Jollymon Jon Powell as he is known in the parrothead community left our world and returned to his heavenly fathers arms on 10/19/02 at approximately 12:15pm. For all of you who knew Jon, you know how much of a blessing he was. I have received numerous emails from many of you, friends, family, and coworkers, who didn't even know Jon that have told me how he touched your life just through my emails and following his website. Jon was a courageous, brave little man who would light up a room with just his presence. I'll never forget the day he painted me a picture. I said wow Jon thats a neat dinosaur (Jon was 2 or 3 at the time and really into dino's). Jon looked at me with a half grin and said "thats no dinosaur Islandpirate, thats a palm tree!" Wow was I embarrassed! Then we went to his room to read books, to which I believe I read every book there. I had a short visit that day, but it will last a lifetime in my heart.

Jon was such a testament to faith. He loved Jesus with all of his heart and told others about him. Jon was brave, leading other children through treatment, telling them it was ok. A 3 year old young man leading other children who were frightened and not knowing what to expect through the horrific treatments of cancer. He did more than that, Jon led us through life. He showed us how to love, and how to care. He opened our hearts to a child that many of you didn't even know. He gave you the chance to love, the chance to care, and the chance to give. And Jon gave us so much more back, more than I can ever express on paper, or in words. I hope to be able to model my life with the outlook that Jon had. While it was short, the obituary is correct - Jon accomplished more than most people can in a lifetime.

As I type this the tears stream down my face. Not because I mourn for Jon, because I know hes pain free, and giving us another star thats brighter than any I've ever seen. But I cry because of the life he led. The beauty that he is, the beauty that will live on in Jonathan's Hope Foundation. This foundation is exactly what many of you have already done for me, for Jon. When I asked for prayers and cards, you poured them upon us for Jon, complete with gifts, and money. Even now, the donations are continuing to come in for Melissa and Tim. To which many of you don't even know them.

Jonathans Hope will give others the same joy that you gave Jon during his illness. Children who are receiving treatment will get toys, cards, families who are hurting financially will receive assistance to help during their trials of life. You may send donations to myself, and I'll pass them along to Tim and Melissa. And I encourage each one of you to please find the funds to donate money to Jonathans Hope Foundation. Give back a little of what he gave to you. Continue to give to these kids that need the brighter days. Its what Jonathan would want you to do. And as a favor for me, please love your families, your children, your friends. Tell them that you love them and cherish them. You never know when you may not have that chance.

I also invite you to sign Jonathans guestbook. Show Jon's family how much Jon touched your life. The address is www.caringbridge.com/wv/jonpowell

Click the palmtree below to see the letter that Jimmy Buffett posted on his site about Jollymon Jon Powell.

Below are some pictures that I took when I delivered the 4 wheeler that the Steel City Fins (parrotheads) bought for Jon!

Below is a picture from Jons Make A Wish trip to Florida.

THanks for stopping by. Pelase support www.jonathanshope.org

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