Jonathan Cheney

On Friday, March 20, 2020, Jonathan Robert Cheney, loving son, brother, grandson, and friend to all, passed away from a tragic accidental drowning at Causey Reservoir. He was 19 years old and just beginning his journey through life.

Jonny burst into our lives on January 31, 2001. His parents, Yesenia and David Cheney lived in Layton, Utah, and later moved to Kaysville, Utah, where he lived at the time of his tragic death.

Jon graduated from Farmington High School in 2019, maintaining a 4.0 throughout most of High School and planned to attend Weber State in the fall, majoring in Biology. He wanted to be a high school biology teacher.

His inquisitive nature and desire to learn and understand was one of his greatest strengths. He loved science and math and wanted to know and understand everything. When he was 12 years old, he excitedly told his parents about the EMP he made from the old microwave in the basement. When told how dangerous it was, he interrupted and said he had researched all the dangerous parts and had been very careful. "Besides," he said, "it will only work a few feet around it."

Jonny loved music. In a "Name that Tune or Artist" battle, he would win every time. When Jon decided he wanted to learn how to play the guitar, he would sometimes spend over 40 hours a week playing. He liked his acoustic guitar but loved his electric. He would play it into the wee hours of the morning, jamming on his seafoam green Ibanez Jem. He tried his hand with the ukulele and banjo; however, his first love was the guitar. He was incredibly gifted, and we will miss hearing him play.

He felt the most at home, with his guitar on his back, in nature. He loved the mountains and hiking. He loved hiking Baer Canyon and hanging out in "the cave" with his friends. He loved to sit around a fire and would do that for hours. Nature and the mountains are where he found his peace.

His friends say that his most exceptional quality was he wasn't afraid to be himself. He didn't care if people liked him or not. He offered no apologies, and his goal was to be true to himself and live authentically. He did, and we are so proud of him.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jon participated in the Scouting and youth programs.

His gentle sincerity and happy, mischievous smile will be missed more than the sun by those who were lucky enough to call him their friend.

Jonathan is survived by his parents Yesenia Jones and David & Elisa Cheney; his sisters Alexandra, Rebecca, Meagan;Hannah (step-sister), Colin (step-brother), Lauren (step-sister), Sophie (step-sister)  Grandparents Leland & Barla Jones, Yolanda Valdes, and Howard and Louise Cheney.  Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and more friends than he could count.

He was preceded in death by his cousins Jeffrey Cheney and Talitha Anderson.

In light of COVID-19 and the current health crisis, we will be live streaming Jon's memorial service on Thursday, March 26, at 2:00 pm. See link below. If you are unable to watch the live stream, there will be a video link posted on this site a few hours after service for future access.

A viewing for close friends and family will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd, Layton, Utah for those unable to attend the service.

Internment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd. Layton, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a scholarship fund https://www.facebook.com/donate/830613640754966/ created in Jonathan's name.

If you have memories or experiences you would like to share about Jonathan, we would encourage you to share them in the online guestbook.