Jonathan Stilwell

Jonathan Stilwell met Jesus face-to-face on May 10, 2018.

Dear Jonathan,

Your laughter—oh, how it could fill a room. Even now, we can still hear it in our hearts. You had a gift for lightening the mood, turning stress into smiles, and making people feel at ease. Whether it was a tense Calculus class or just an ordinary day, you brought joy wherever you went.

From a young age, your heart was tender. At just five years old, you told your dad you needed Jesus—and you meant it. That deep faith and sincerity carried through your whole life. And when your baby sister came along, you didn’t just love her—you looked out for her, guided her, and protected her. It wasn’t something you were asked to do; it was simply who you were.

Your path wasn’t always clear, but you walked it with courage. After one year of college, unsure of your direction, you stepped away. You worked at Chick-fil-A for a while, then answered a bigger call in 2012 when you joined the U.S. Navy. You served your country with honor, completing recruit training and a full tour before coming with us to Texas in 2016.

And then, in 2017, you returned to school at Texas A&M Corpus Christi—right alongside your sister. You were focused, dedicated, and doing so well. But just like that, in the middle of studying for finals, you were gone. A pulmonary embolism took you from us with no warning. But even in your short time there, you made such an impression that your professors came to your memorial. One said, “Jonathan would walk into a room, crack a joke, and suddenly everyone was laughing.” That was your gift. You made hard moments easier, and ordinary ones extraordinary.

Jonathan, you are deeply missed. But we hold tight to the impact you made, the lives you touched, and the love you gave so freely.

We can’t wait for our reunion in Heaven.

Until then…

Jonathan Stilwell, you are loved and never forgotten.

Much love,

Your First Touch Family