Jon passed away around 4:30 pm on August 22. 2025. He had been suffering from long covid for years, and probably didn't realize he had cancer too. By the time he did, it was too late. RIP Jon.
Jon's death came as a bit of a shock. He was a great musician and always a good friend since middle school. Cancer is no way to live, I am glad it didn't string him along for many months. Rest in peace dear friend. You will always be remebered.
This is Baker. Jon and I formed our first band together in 5 th grade with Corky Hanger. We would play on Corky's back porch across from Holy Redemer to attract all the girls getting out of church. In the 70's Jon and I both bought Martin Guitars and started playing James Taylor's music. Then, in 1989 we formed the first Ticket To the Beatles band, and performed on the Landing and at Unuin Station. After Jon left the band Ticket to the Beatles continued on to perform over 2,000 gigs, including last weekend, which Jon's daughters Chloe and Lauren attended celebrating their Dad's love for music. Jon and I both got our Masters degree in Psychoigy and were licensed as LPCs. We both counseled adolesents and adults fior over 45 years.
Jon continued doing therapy with his beloved German Shepard Ava who was his co-therapist. She passed a year ago, which broke Jon's heart. Jon didn't like for anyone to see him sick and vulnerable. He got covid before anyone knew it existed and became extremely ill. He had long covid symptoms, lost a lost of weight and became more elusive. He had a lot of physical issues. But he contined working every week helping others, which was his passion. On June 13 he collapsed and essentially became paralyzed, rushed to the hospital to find that he had stage 4 cancer which metasticized in his spine, neck and shoulders. He was hosptaluzed twice and in rehab. He was home for a few weeks, but could not use his hands or arms.
Jon had no regrets. He loved his life and all his friends and his wife Patty, and Chloe and Lauren. Life is never perfect, and Jon had his share of problems, but was always driven by helping others. His sister Jill and two daugters were with him in his last week. I was helping him with Patty throughout his final 10 weeks. Jon's mind was still intact even while his body failed. We were able to share so many stories of our childhood and of life itself while listening to James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills, Nash and Neil Young, and The Beatles. On his last day on earth, I told him I cherished our time together and that I had to go perform a concert. I told him if I didn't see him tomorrow to save me a place. He died two hours later. I didn't look at my phone that night when Margo and I were playing our Tribute to James Taylor and Carole King. Next morning when I woke up, my wife Hannah told me she looked at my phone. Then she said, "Jon went to your concert"❤️
Baker, thank you for the pictures and tribute to Jon. I am so sorry to hear when someone suffers like he did. But he was blessed to have you as a friend and as support as he transitioned .
Sue Shrader (E Hanes)
Jon's death came as a bit of a shock. He was a great musician and always a good friend since middle school. Cancer is no way to live, I am glad it didn't string him along for many months. Rest in peace dear friend. You will always be remebered.
Baker Symes
This is Baker. Jon and I formed our first band together in 5 th grade with Corky Hanger. We would play on Corky's back porch across from Holy Redemer to attract all the girls getting out of church. In the 70's Jon and I both bought Martin Guitars and started playing James Taylor's music. Then, in 1989 we formed the first Ticket To the Beatles band, and performed on the Landing and at Unuin Station. After Jon left the band Ticket to the Beatles continued on to perform over 2,000 gigs, including last weekend, which Jon's daughters Chloe and Lauren attended celebrating their Dad's love for music. Jon and I both got our Masters degree in Psychoigy and were licensed as LPCs. We both counseled adolesents and adults fior over 45 years.
Jon continued doing therapy with his beloved German Shepard Ava who was his co-therapist. She passed a year ago, which broke Jon's heart. Jon didn't like for anyone to see him sick and vulnerable. He got covid before anyone knew it existed and became extremely ill. He had long covid symptoms, lost a lost of weight and became more elusive. He had a lot of physical issues. But he contined working every week helping others, which was his passion. On June 13 he collapsed and essentially became paralyzed, rushed to the hospital to find that he had stage 4 cancer which metasticized in his spine, neck and shoulders. He was hosptaluzed twice and in rehab. He was home for a few weeks, but could not use his hands or arms.
Jon had no regrets. He loved his life and all his friends and his wife Patty, and Chloe and Lauren. Life is never perfect, and Jon had his share of problems, but was always driven by helping others. His sister Jill and two daugters were with him in his last week. I was helping him with Patty throughout his final 10 weeks. Jon's mind was still intact even while his body failed. We were able to share so many stories of our childhood and of life itself while listening to James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills, Nash and Neil Young, and The Beatles. On his last day on earth, I told him I cherished our time together and that I had to go perform a concert. I told him if I didn't see him tomorrow to save me a place. He died two hours later. I didn't look at my phone that night when Margo and I were playing our Tribute to James Taylor and Carole King. Next morning when I woke up, my wife Hannah told me she looked at my phone. Then she said, "Jon went to your concert"❤️
Baker Symes
Baker Symes
Baker Symes
William Klein
Awesome pictures, Baker.
Steven Meister
Baker, Thank you. A wonderful tribute and pictures. 🙏✌️Patty Scavatta (Trusty)
Baker, thank you for the pictures and tribute to Jon. I am so sorry to hear when someone suffers like he did. But he was blessed to have you as a friend and as support as he transitioned .
Alison Kinderfather
May the god he worshiped welcome him with open arms, fill him with peace, and comfort all who loved him. Blessed be.
Susan Morgan (Layton)
Baker, thanks for your post. Appreciated hearing about Jon and some of his background and family info. Loved all the photos too. Such a good guy!!