Jonathan Michael Sullivan

2000 - 2022

Jonathan Michael Sullivan

It has taken his family more than a year to write this obituary. First was the shock, second was the grief and lastly, how do you define someone who is truly undefinable. Here is our best attempt.

Jonathan Michael Sullivan was born on August 14, 2000, in the middle of one of the worst fire seasons in Helena, Montana. He was born with beautiful auburn hair and spent his first night very peacefully staring at his mom in the hospital. That was probably the one and only time he didn't make - in his own words - his parents' life "more interesting."

He was always willing to fight for the underdog and explore all elements of society, preferring those who were the most authentic, genuine and fun. An extremely precocious child he pronounced his boredom at school from his first day of kindergarten until his last day on earth.

Jonathan excelled at computers and received his A+ computer certification at the age of 14, the youngest person in the nation at the time. He went on to make computers at cost for people who could not afford them otherwise and for organizations he thought were being ripped off by the establishment.

For high school his parents moved with him to Missoula so he could dual-enroll at the University of Montana and Sentinel High School. He excelled in high school and received awards in the school's business program and as a singer in the school choir. When he graduated high school he was already a sophomore in college with a minor in Japanese.

As soon as he graduated from high school he took part in the University of Montana's going abroad program majoring in business at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. Due to Covid, he was forced to come home early and continued his studies at the University of Montana.

After returning from Japan in 2020, Jonathan got a job downtown at Missoula's Import Market, a quirky and unique place with unexpected and unusual items, a place rather like Jonathan himself. The Import Market proved to be a nurturing work environment for Jonathan. Kristal, one of the company owners, wrote up a memorial and posted it to social media. It is so endearing to see how Jonathan was viewed by those around him. The post follows, in part, here:

My first impression of Jon was: tall, lanky, red head who was really laid back. Your typical Missoula college kid, who didn't really need a job, but wanted something to do. Jon, was in fact, not typical at all. His music choice was what I noticed first. I usually have to set the explicit lock for most of our employees, but not for Jon. His choice of music to play in the store was always instrumental and usually had an oriental twang to it. Very fitting for the store. His choice of attire was always amusing to me. In the summer, he was always rocking a button up shirt that implied he was ready for vacation. Not only did he wear Birkenstocks and socks, his socks always had something fun on them: condiments, pineapples, cars... my favorite were the donuts. I would learn something new about Jon every day. He was well traveled, well versed and ambitious. And if it's not obvious, a very intelligent young man. He was a jack of all trades, finding clever ways of making money by trading with his friends and maybe taking slight advantage of them because they didn't know enough about electronics.

Whenever he worked, he never complained, always seemed to be in a good mood. I would have to load him up with double the tasks because he would get it done too quickly. He preferred staying busy...Jon surprised me when it came to engaging with the customers. He was friendly and knowledgeable about the products we sell. From the different types of Buddha's and their meanings, to a specific incense that would bring good luck and fortune. The list goes on, I learned so much from that big brain. How did he know so much?

Jon you were a delight to get to know. Always making us laugh and putting a smile on our faces. You were a free spirit. Exploring the west coast on a solo trip. Reminiscing and counting down the days when you got to travel back to Japan. It caught my attention on how disappointed you were with the distance learning through the University last year, "how am I supposed to meet new people if I am not in a class setting," where most young adults would be elated to not have to go sit in a classroom. You were a different duck in the best of ways. Passionate about not just our economy, but the world's. You knew way more than most young adults your age should know or even care about knowing. You were a bit of a conspiracy theorist and those are the conversations I'll remember the most. You explained the whole Matrix Saga in less than 10 minutes, which then gave me no choice but to re-watch the entire saga. Whenever I think of you now, I think "such a shame," such a shame this world took you at the young age of 21. Such a shame you didn't get to show this world what you were really made for. You were meant to do big things. You were a class act. I didn't know Jon outside of work, but I feel damn lucky that I got to know a little piece of him over this past year. He will always be a part of the Import Market family. His name tag will live over the little camera on our computer. (Big brother can't watch if you cover up the camera) RIP.

Though Kristal said Jon was sometimes late, he always showed up. So it was surprising to her when he failed to show up for his shift in early January.

Jonathan passed away on January 3, 2022, peacefully in his sleep.

He graduated posthumously from the University of Montana with his business entrepreneurship degree graduating cum laude and he was looking forward to going back to Japan to receive his master's degree and teach English to Japanese children at the time of his death.

It took five months to receive the results of his autopsy which showed he passed away naturally from no known causes.

He is survived by his parents Michael and Amy Sullivan of Helena, Montana and Cody, Wyoming. His sister Maggie Hansbury (and husband Daniel) of Arlington, Virginia. His grandparents Beverly Townsend of Bozeman, Montana; Dr. Tim and Darlene Sullivan of Boise, Idaho; and Mike and Sherry Hoff of Boise, Idaho. His aunts and uncles Todd and Gwyn Daniels of Bozeman, Montana; Mea Townsend of East Hampton, New York (who has since passed away); and Rick and Suzy Sullivan of Boise, Idaho. He also had six cousins who he had a great time with, most notably, Emily Daniels of Bozeman, Montana who he practically grew up with. We will never forget the laughter shared by them.

Jonathan also held a great presence in the lives of his dear friends - from Helena, Missoula, and several locations overseas. He had a knack for making friends and it is clear from the messages and emails we received in the wake of his passing that they hold him as closely in their hearts as we do.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Gene Townsend of Simms, Montana.

In honor of this most unusually fantastic human being we are requesting that all memorials be sent to the Montana Community Foundation for the Jonathan Sullivan Memorial Endowment P.O. Box 1145 Helena, MT 59624.

He will never be forgotten and his impact is forever lasting from his short time on this earth.