Jonathan McCoy was born on September 17, 1996 in Chicago, Illinois, to Darrell and Angela McCoy.  He is the youngest of their three children:  Alexis and Thomas.   His great-grandfather, Herman Farmer, grandfather, George McCoy,  uncle,  Kenneth Jones and his second cousin, Darryl Hams who preceded him in death.  He was baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit first in his mother’s womb on August 25, 1996, at Apostolic Church of God and on May 10, 1997 at St. Thomas the Apostle. 

He was a young man so full of life.  He woke up each morning with a smile on his face, from the time he was a baby until his untimely departure.   Behind those handsome eyes was a beautiful spirit, kind and considerate with a forgiving heart.  Despite the challenges he faced early in childhood, he never complained, never gave up and never asked, “why me.”  The Christ within him gave him strength and courage to pursue goals and overcome his setbacks.   He did it with dignity and confidence.  He loved the Lord and attending church every Sunday.

He was funny/comical….a real prankster.  Often being the initiator of jokes against his family.  Jonathan was a mini chef who learned to cook in the sixth-grade, and he was a Kool-aid mix master, who made the best pitcher of Kool-aid in the Mid-west.  He loved to eat and his favorite foods were sushi, shrimp and his Mom’s macaroni & cheese.   His driving and dancing skills were one and the same… all over the place (whew!!)  His personality was outwardly shy, but inwardly….outgoing.  He was also an amazing photographer, with an exceptional eye for detail. 

Jonathan was a junior at Hales Franciscan High School. He loved school and never wanted to miss a day.  He was an excellent student and knew the importance of an education; history and science being his favorite subjects.  He took his role seriously as manager of the basketball team (freshman, sophomore) and looked forward to managing for varsity.  He was smart, intelligent, and organized; methodical in his approach on life, a real thinker.  He loved reading, fishing (with Dad & Thomas), playing basketball, video games and chess.  He was a sports enthusiast…so knowledgeable with statistics and players, a walking encyclopedia of who’s who of sports today.   His favorite teams were the Hales Franciscan Spartans, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma Thunder and Chicago Bears.

On September 12, 2013, Jonathan went on to be with the Lord. It was the young man he had grown up to be; his strength, courage and love of life that lead to the decision by his parents to donate his organs and tissues to the Gift of Hope Foundation.  Seven (the number of completion in the bible—only with God can this happen) of his organs were placed with individuals in the U.S.  It is humbling to know that the best part of him, his heart, was given to a 17 year old young man in Michigan.  The Lord has been good to Jonathan and his family.  By God’s Grace Jonathan still lives on.  He touched the lives of many with his compassion for life making every moment count.  He is one of God’s Angels that will be greatly missed.  The family has elected to cremate Jonathan’s remains after the service.  “We have given part of him to the World; the rest will remain with us.”

Praise the Lord,  
Some of you may already know and for those I haven't had a chance to contact directly (sorry), we lost our youngest son, Jonathan, earlier this week.    It is easier for me to write my feelings than to talk them out.  Please go on this brief journey with me as I take you on my joy ride of 17 years of wonderfulness....  

I am blessed to be married to the man of my dreams for 28 years (together 34 years).  In that time, God has blessed us with us three truly spirit-filled, inspiring, awesome, funny...the list can go on and on about my three kids and how proud and honored I am to be their mother.  And how much I love them...they are the heart, soul, and spirit of me.  Alexis, Thomas and Jonathan are all special in their own way, with gifts and characteristics that only God can give.  But I want to share Jonathan with you.......  

Jonathan was tall (6.0), handsome, smart, intelligent, quiet and a real thinker...our gentle giant.  A sports enthusiast....and a chess man......amazing!  Although he was quiet, his spirit was big, loud, and boisterous.   He loved school and being a part of the Hales Franciscan family and community.  His favorite subjects were history and science.  As an upperclassman, he looked forward to being the basketball manager again and the CSI and Chess clubs he had just joined.  He really enjoyed going to school.  

As a child, he was always smiling.  He woke up each and every day with a smile on his face....always ready to take on the day.  He was the happiest little boy you could have ever met.  His spirit was so contagious, you couldn't help but feel good just being in his presence.  He always had a look on his face, as if he knew something you didn't know.  He was special and he knew it.  I guess when I look back; it must have been a 'youthful wisdom (smile).'  The trials and tribulations would make the average person give up...but, not him.  He never gave up.  And despite all that he has gone through....he never complained, never asked why me?  That was the Christ within him.  That was the peace he had....what courage.  As parents, we are our children's first teacher...he taught me....to be strong...to be patient...not to complain...never give up.  I cannot thank God enough for giving me this precious young man.  

On September 7, our lives changed in an instant.  I don't want to talk about that day anymore.  The trio demons of woulda, shoulda and coulda...and not to forget"'what if"....are lurking around trying to break my spirit...but, I'm holding on to my faith, trusting the Lord, and continually praises His name.  My heart is hurting....and as moms, there is nothing we wouldn't do for our children (Dad's too)...we would give anything to take away our child's pain....shield them from harm....we'd trade places if we could....I couldn't.  On September 10 at 7:57am, Jonathan's brain ceased to function.  The Gift of Hope Organization asked us if we would consider donating his organs.....Darrell and I said, yes.  We agreed to donate his organs and tissues.  They sustained his body for us until relatives arrived....most importantly his sister, Alexis (who lives in Baltimore).   

Throughout the day on September 11, the nurses from Gift of Hope kept us updated on matches for his organs.  It started out as three and by the end of the night it was at seven.  The nurse said that it was the most she had seen from any one patient.   How excellent is our God...isn't seven the number for completion in the bible?  Praise the Lord!.  Jesus!  Jesus!  Jesus!  By 1:45am on September 12, the OR team came to prep him for surgery.  We got a chance to walk with him to the OR to say not goodbye, but until we see you again in Glory.  I asked the nurse to please tell the families receiving my son's organs that Jonathan was an awesome, kind, courageous, smart,  and considerate young man of God with a good heart, and that we are praying them and are happy that their prayers are being answered.  We left UofC Comers hospital only to see four organ transport cars waiting outside to go to places unknown.  The reality and magnitude of the situation came full circle. My Lord!  

Later that morning at 8:47am I got a call from Kristen (nurse with Gift of Hope).  I called her back and she said the doctors would tell families what I said and that they prayed for Jonathan before the procedure began.  She told me that at 5:26am the heart was removed....it was the last organ.  She also told me that at the time she called me at 8:47 am, his heart was already beating in the body of a 17 year-old young man in Michigan.   On Tuesday, September 17 will be Jonathan's golden birthday...he would be 17.  Glory be to God!  Hallelujah!.  What can I say, but ...Thank you Lord!  He is an Angel to many.   He will help save the lives of many people...that person who needs a kidney or a pancreas....to that athlete that may need a tendon or achilles heel...someone needing bone marrow or a femur, and young man who needed his heart.  God is good!!!  I think about that song, "If I can help somebody along the way, then my living shall not be in vain."   I don't question why what happened...happened.  If this is the Lord's will...I'm at peace.  We are all here for a purpose....if this was his.....I can only give glory to God.  

I don't know where the other organs and tissues have gone....I will know in the coming weeks.   We hope to someday meet the individuals that received his organs, especially the young man that received his heart.  I'm comforted knowing he still lives on.  I take comfort in Rom. 8:28.. 'And in all things God works for the good of all who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'  And 2Cor. 4:16-18..'For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.'  I'll take with me the memories.  The ride was too short, but Lord has been good to us.  We'll go on...it won't be the same, but I'm happy knowing that I'll always know where he is.  

Jonathan will never be forgotten.  He touched a lot of lives during his 17 years on this earth.   For those of you have been a part of his life...directly or indirectly.....Thank you.  Thank you for your prayers and support.  May God Bless you!