Jonas David Ellwanger

2006 - 2025

Jonas David Ellwanger was born in Austin, Texas on January 5, 2006, the day after the Texas Longhorns won the national championship. He narrowly avoided being named "Vince" or "Mack" and instead became the third generation of JDE's in the family. Jonas loved Formula 1, Legos, Longhorn football, performing whenever possible, loving and being loved by his family, and embracing the company of friends.

Jonas passed away in Bronxville, New York on May 6, 2025, at the age of 19. His sudden passing following a tragic accident at Sarah Lawrence College on the last day of classes has left a deep and lasting void in the lives of those who knew him. He is survived by his father Jay, his mother Christina, his sisters Berit and Annika, and a large and loving family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is also survived by countless friends he made during his brief but extraordinarily vibrant life.

"He was incredibly kind to me and truly lit up the room," wrote one fellow student. "He was a force of light on campus," wrote another. "Jonas knew how to walk into a room and make it his own," wrote a close friend. "His light shined brighter than anyone else's."

Tribute after tribute focused on the same theme: light. Jonas brought light to the darkness through a love of life that was boundless and forged through the resilience, gratitude, and fearlessness of a survivor. Jonas knew how to live life to the fullest, and he never held back.

At just thirteen years old, he survived a rare brain bleed called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Through the combined efforts of an army of doctors, nurses, therapists, and angels at Dell Children's Medical Center, Jonas learned how to read, write, and walk again; an experience that shaped not only his perspective but also his unwavering drive to fully embrace life.

A baptized and confirmed member of Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, Jonas's faith was deeply personal yet openly shared. After surviving the AVM incident years earlier, Jonas spoke candidly about how that experience reaffirmed his belief in God and how the support of his church community helped guide him through recovery. While giving a talk to the entire congregation about his journey of determined survival after the AVM, Jonas said, "This intense experience affirmed that God is real and that this community of people's belief helped me realize that."

That same determination carried Jonas through Anderson High School and led to early admission and a Presidential Scholarship to his dream college, Sarah Lawrence. While in New York, Jonas thrived both academically and athletically. He joined the Men's Swim Team as a freshman and was twice named to the Skyline Conference Honor Roll during his first season. Recognized for his spirit and leadership, Jonas recently received the Coach's Award at the Athletics Department banquet and had been named Co-Captain for his sophomore year. His coach wrote that Jonas's "boundless enthusiasm and ambition inspired so many people here."

Before college swimming success, Jonas had stepped away from high school swimming after his sophomore year to explore another passion: the dramatic arts. His talent quickly emerged when he earned the lead role in his high school's musical as a junior. As a senior, Jonas performed with the acclaimed Zach Scott North Musical Theater Company. This love for performance blossomed into a promising artistic path, and by the beginning of his first year in college Jonas had signed with professional agents in both Austin and New York. He starred in three student films and a student-directed play and directed an impressive re-shoot of a scene from Catch Me If You Can.

Jonas didn't pretend to be perfect; instead, he embraced life's imperfections with humor and heart. Whether inspiring teammates in the pool or captivating audiences on stage, Jonas lived his life with curiosity, intensity, loyalty, and joy that left lasting impressions on everyone around him.

After the accident, the captain of the Sarah Lawrence swim team wrote to Jonas's parents: "On the day of Jonas's passing, I gave him one final hug, thinking I would be talking to him over the summer. I need you to know that your son was the happiest he could be when I last saw him smiling ear to ear, still finding ways to make me laugh. Like so many, I love Jonas, and I will always value his friendship and be inspired by his character."

Though gone far too soon, Jonas David Ellwanger leaves behind a legacy defined by courage, creativity, connection, and above all, love. May his memory forever bring strength and peace to those who carry it forward.

Jonas's life will be celebrated at a memorial service that all are welcome to attend. The service will be held on Tuesday, May 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, 9508 Great Hills Trail, Austin TX 78759. Overflow seating will be available at Grace Covenant Church, 9431 Jollyville Road, Austin, Texas 78759. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed on the Triumphant Love Lutheran Church YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish may make a donation to the Jonas Ellwanger Memorial Fund, hosted by the Austin Community Foundation. Donations are tax deductible and may be made by visiting https://tinyurl.com/jonasellwangermemorialfund. Proceeds will benefit the things that mattered most to Jonas: improving treatments for AVM survivors, supporting Dell Children's Medical Center, and providing resources for students pursuing studies in the dramatic arts or who are competing in NCAA Division III athletics.