Fierce, generous, popular, goofy, tenacious, hardworking, selfless…those are just a few words family use to describe Jon. But they only scratch the surface.

He delighted in annual childhood trips to Oklahoma, where he could go hunting and fishing with his uncles. An athlete who excelled at everything he tried, from baseball pitching (always #7 or 77!) to surfing, badminton, golf and, well, even to the “sport” of poker, he later transitioned to coaching Little League baseball for his grandsons. He was definitely not a strong student, but his mom pushed him to attend class just enough to graduate high school—and took a picture of herself in his cap and gown.

Auto body work began at his dad’s Dick’s Body Shop as a teenager. He returned to the trade to develop a stellar reputation through Jon’s Body Shop, crafting everything from reliable, everyday work to breathtaking magazine-cover restorations. Most memorable were his legendary “all-comers” annual Christmas street parties at his shop, featuring barbecue, tacos, a classic car show, live music, and the infamous habanero-eating contest.

He was a lifelong friend to many—thrilled to reconnect when he discovered Facebook and eager to make a friend out of everyone he met. That embracing spirit extended to his ever-expanding family, with whom he loved spending time, especially the kids.

Jon had walked away for many years from his childhood commitment to follow Jesus, but he returned to faith later in life, reading his Bible daily and keeping it close by during his final illness.

Jon is survived by his wife, Chau; children and stepchildren, Chace Farguson, Katie Severson, Jeremy Chojnacki, Danielle Schwabauer, Jessica Chojnacki, Huy Doan, and Helen Doan; a large and growing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Kathy and DW Nesper; and foster sister and brother-in-law Judy and Fred Petersen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Mary Farguson.

We will miss you, Jon. More than we can say.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Jon’s memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation (Garysinisefoundation.org), Smile Train Inc. (Smiletrain.org), or the UCLA Heart Transplant Patient Assistance Fund (giveto.ucla.edu—search for “heart transplant”).