Jon Unger

1944 - 2018

Jan. 8, 1944 - June 8, 2018 Jon Unger passed away June 8, in Fairfield, after a long illness. Jon was born in Minneapolis, MN, on Jan. 8, 1944. As he told it, he was too impatient to wait for the hospital and was instead born, in a blizzard, in a cab driven by a cabby named Nick. Hence his nickname Nick, or "little Nicky", as he was known by family and childhood friends. His sisters agree with most of his story, including the date, the city, and that the cab driver's name was the origin of his lifelong nickname. The birth in the cab, however, was a question of much debate. That did not stop Jon from telling the story or his sisters from lovingly disputing it. He'd just say, "Well, I was the one there". Jon is survived by his wife, Cynda; sisters, Nancy, Milanie, and Julie; daughter, Kathleen; sons, Darren and Sean; as well as grandchildren, Jordan, Ryan, and Ellie. He lived each day to talk about his family and was very proud of each of his children and grandchildren. Jon loved baseball, crosswords, coffee, and company. Growing up in Altoona, PA, he graduated from Penn State before moving west for law school. He rooted for the Giants against all teams except his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates. He thought the designated hitter had no place in baseball. He served in Vietnam. He practiced law in Solano County for four decades, starting as an assistant district attorney before transitioning to private practice and family law, where he enjoyed adoption work most of all. He was active in the community and was a proud member of his Rotary Club, where he served a term as president. Jon loved being around people, and people loved being around him. He loved history and read incessantly. He had a mind that collected and retained trivia, making him a master of useless information. Prompted (or not) he would cite pi to 10 places. In one breath, he could tell you all of yesterday's baseball box scores and in the next recite the Gettysburg Address. He had a good laugh, a lot of stories, and a warm, unforgettable smile. He was sweet and kind, and he will be missed. Jon's journey through his illness was made easier by caregivers and medical professionals who helped him keep joy in his life until the end. His surviving family would like to thank each and every one of them. They are grateful for all of the help they gave Jon. Interment at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery will be private.