It is with great sadness and heartbreak that the family of Jonathan Dowens of Middletown announces his passing May 5.
Jon was born Aug. 28, 1983 in Middletown and lived there for most of his life. He moved to Asbury Park in 2017.
Jon attended Middletown High School South and received his bachelor’s degree in business from University of Delaware. He was the operations manager at Creditors Relief in Freehold.
As a child his relatives called him the “entertainer” because he was always ready to play a tune on the piano or put on a show. He was known to his neighbors as the “professor” because he would be called upon to fix their computer or teach them some new software.
While in middle school Jon became an accomplished drummer and was selected to the All State Band. He also played for the Monmouth Civic Chorus on several occasions. At the age of 10 he did a stint in summer stock theater where he had the lead role in a production of “Oliver.” While attending Middletown High School South he was elected class vice president and inducted into the National Honor Society, and was involved in many other activities and athletics.
Jon was a gentle and caring soul who always thought it important to support others and his heart was always in the right place. When the Middletown teachers were being jailed in 2001, Jon took it upon himself to stand on the steps of the county court house and courageously spoke to the news media on their behalf. A week after 9/11 Jon started a drive to collect supplies for the relief effort.
Jon’s favorite things to do were entertaining at his apartment on Deal Lake and hanging out with his many friends at Club Paradise. He also had a passion for photography. Some of his JD Photography work can be seen online at coroflot.com/jdphotographypro.
They say you should try to leave the world a better place when you’re gone. Jon did that with grace and passion. His gregarious personality, contagious energy and animated humor will be missed by all.
His favorite quote of all time says it all: “To live would be an awfully big adventure.” –Peter Pan
Jon leaves behind his parents, John and Patricia Dowens, and his brother Steve.
Due to COVID-19 the funeral will be private. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at a future time. If you wish to make a charitable donation in Jonathan’s name, two of the family’s favorite charities are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Habitat for Humanity.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jonathan W. Dowens please visit pflegerfuneralhome.com.
