Some people cross your path for a moment, others for a season—but all of them leave something behind. Jon King is one of those people who has been with me through it all—my younger brother, my best friend growing up, and someone who has shaped my life in countless ways.
I remember the first time I really felt that bond with Jon. It wasn’t just that he was my little brother—it was that he was my teammate. Whether it was facing off against our older brother Ben, playing video games with our cousin Mitch, or spending hours outside tossing a baseball or running flag football routes, it was always “Jon and I” together. We didn’t just share a childhood—we shared a partnership. Even as we got older, that sense of being side by side carried into umpiring baseball games, refereeing flag football, and even reffing basketball. Whatever it was, we showed up together.
What I learned from Jon is that true character shows itself in how you approach challenges. He has never been one to shy away from hard things. Whether it was working through MTech to get his medical degree, putting in long hours on the field as a ref, or showing up for his friends when they were going through heavy, difficult things—Jon has always been steady. He cares deeply for people and doesn’t walk away when life gets hard. That’s rare.
I’ve seen Jon at his best and at his hardest moments, but the one thing that’s always been consistent is his work ethic. He gives everything he has to whatever is in front of him. Fear doesn’t dictate his choices, and failure doesn’t keep him down. When he makes a plan, he sticks to it and sees it through. That kind of perseverance inspires me.
Life has a way of moving people in and out of our stories, but that doesn’t erase the chapters they helped write. Jon will always be someone I respect for his resilience, his loyalty, and his commitment to living fully.
No matter where our lives go, I’ll always be grateful for what Jon brought into mine: the memories of being best buds, the lessons of perseverance, and the reminder that true strength is found in showing up—for yourself and for others—every single day.