Jonathan Robert “Jon” Gissel

July 19, 1983 – April 5, 2021

Jonathan Robert “Jon” Gissel was called Home unexpectedly Easter morning April 4^th, 2021 at the age of 37.

He was born the youngest of three children and lived his whole life in Oregon. He enjoyed much of what the Pacific Northwest had to offer: fishing, camping, hiking, snowboarding, dirt and mountain biking. One of Jon’s greatest joys was being with his family. He was a giant kid at heart and loved being an uncle to his five nieces and nephews. He was quick to join them on the trampoline or watch movies and have couch sleepovers.

In 2012, Jon graduated from Warner Pacific College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development. His love for others and heart for service began at a young age and continued until his untimely passing. During family camping trips in his early years, he would knock on the doors of other campers and ask if he could wash their dishes. He volunteered at various locations as an adult including an assisted living facility. Jon would share that the older ladies at the facility would argue who got to sit next to him at bingo. Jon’s willingness to lend a helping hand to family, friends, neighbors and strangers was one of the qualities that many were the lucky recipients of.

Like many, Jon’s life was not without struggle. He wrestled on and off for years with mental health and addiction. Throughout it all he had a strong faith in God and fought against all odds again and again to rise above the darkness that attempted to ensnare him.

There is so much we will miss about Jon; his laugh, his charismatic personality, his huge smile, his bear hugs and his heart to serve others.

He is survived by his grandfather Don and wife Karen; mother Sheryl; father Dean and stepmom Pattyrose; brother Matt and wife Katherine and their children Liam, Claire and Caroline; sister Julie and husband Brian and their children Cate and Andrew; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jon’s honor to OHSU’s Neuroscience Program on behalf of Alzheimer’s research at https://www.ohsu.edu/  (select donate) or Serenity Lane Substance Abuse Treatment Center at https://serenitylane.org/make-a-donation/. Both of these were dear to Jon’s heart, having lost both of his grandmothers to dementia and having his own struggles with addiction.

John 14: 1-3 NLT

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.