Jonathan Paul Schleicher

Jonathan was born with a big, beautiful smile.

While rock climbing in Ten Sleep, Wyoming, Jon had a tragic accident. On June 26, 2025, the world lost a good man doing what he loved with people he loved. Words cannot describe the grief that rippled through his climbing, cycling and running communities and among his family and many friends.

As a toddler, Jonathan always wanted to climb and explore - beginning with scaling the kitchen counters. Climbing the stairs of the TALL slide at the park with their dad was a favorite feat. Jonathan loved nature from a young age. When he was about 3 years old, he found a dead bird in the yard. Ever curious, he carefully brought it into the house, much to his mother, Julie's, chagrin. Jonathan had to take an early bath that day.

Jonathan got his love for building from both his Papa Charlie and Granddad Jack. Like his dad, Paul, Jonathan developed a voracious appetite for reading books, fostered by his mother. Jonathan didn’t just read books, he devoured them.

From kindergarten through 8th grade at St. Peter’s Catholic School, Jonathan was part of a new program for inclusion where the school would place special needs students in the classroom. After about a year or so, we asked him about those kids. Matter-of-factly, he replied “Oh, they are great, they just think differently than we do.” It spoke to his kindness and compassion. It was music to his parents’ ears.

In 7th grade, his math teacher gave the class an extra credit assignment - how many digits of Pi can they recite. When his mother, Julie, drove him to school every morning, she encouraged him to practice his digits, having no idea whether he was correct or not because he rattled off the numbers too rapidly to know. On ‘Pi Day’, Jonathan recited 200 digits and won! Apparently, he was the Pi man!

It was wonderful to see Jonathan with his first cousins. Even though he came from a small family, he saw the bigger picture with 12 aunts and uncles, and at the time 15 first cousins. By the time the last first cousin came along, Grace, he was in college. He warmly embraced her in his arms. Jon respected his family and friends. He was always willing to pitch in or join a party or family gathering.

Going to Uncle John and Uncle Mark’s “the Farm” near La Cygne on July 4th with their families was a fond memory. Fishing, lighting off fireworks. running and playing outside. Jonathan enjoyed Thanksgiving at Aunt Susan and Uncle John’s home near Odessa. There, the kids played on their farm, fished, rowed their boat and played horseshoes. After most of the family had left Uncle John and Aunt Tera’s house on Christmas Eve, he would often stay and hang out with their family.

Being at Grandma Jane’s cabin in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado each summer was particularly special for Jonathan. Over the years, his family hiked up to the Falls then through the Garden of Eden and on to the reservoir; they climbed on the boulders in the “Garden of the Gods”, fished at the trout farm hatchery; drove to the top of Pikes Peak, rode the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit, and played in Manitou Springs. No trip was complete without endless hours making dams and splashing in the frigid creek in front of the cabin, just like his dad used to do.

Jonathan’s experience in Boy Scouts nurtured his love for the outdoors. Jonathan enjoyed everything about scouts, earning his Eagle Scout and becoming a Tom Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He also served as Chapter Chief in the Order of the Arrow. In addition, he went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, navigated the Boundary Waters in Minnesota and embarked on the Packard High Adventure in Colorado, where they climbed a ‘Fourteener’ (14,000+ foot high mountain). Jonathan was born for adventure.

Contrary to Jonathan’s self-assessment, he was born with skills. Jon was coordinated and a quick study at any sport. Starting out with T-ball, cub scout baseball, grade school rec soccer, basketball and football - he loved team sports. At Rockhurst High School, he joined the wrestling team. His senior year, Jonathan helped to build a cross-fit gym - a passion that followed him at K-State. While there, he became a Level 1 Cross Fit instructor. Jonathan also qualified for the 20 year old and under Nationals in Olympic style weight lifting. At K-State, he also discovered high lining. That interest soon expanded into climbing, bouldering, running, cycling and crack climbing. He embraced everything he did and everyone he met. Jonathan graduated from K-State with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics. He devoted his varied career primarily to analytics. In addition, Jon continued to teach at a climbing gym during the entire time he lived in Colorado.

10 years ago, Jonathan launched and moved to Denver with Gabrielle. They were a team, they grew together. Above all, they cared for and deeply loved each other. Although life eventually took them in different directions, Gabrielle is forever grateful for the time that they shared.

What made Jon so special was that he cherished his friendships and relationships. He cared deeply about connections. Jon spoke to everyone on a very personal level. He could be there one on one or lead one on 100. It's a rare skill to be that personable where everyone feels seen and heard. Jon was the type of guy to go for a long run in the morning, help you move by lunch, brainstorm a million dollar idea by afternoon, then cook you a gourmet dinner before prevailing in a board game later that evening. And never once would you feel down or beneath him. His smile brightened the room, His laughter always brought more joy. He connected on a much deeper level. Jon gave everything and expecting nothing back. He did everything at the extremes. He loved intensely, he climbed, ran, cycled and gave intensely. Jon baked, brewed, read, rode, spoke, sang and lived - INTENSELY.

We love our Jonathan forever. We used to watch over him, now he watches over us.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother Genevieve Celia (Hamil) Johnson, Grandad Jack Eugene McKain, grandmother Ruth Antoinette (Johnson) McKain, great-grandmother, Marguerite Katherine (Schmitt) Schleicher, Papa Charles Paul Schleicher.

Jonathan is survived by his Grandma Jane (Boppart) Schleicher, his dad, Paul Joseph Schleicher, his mother, Julie Antoinette (McKain) Schleicher, his sister, Jacqueline Antoinette Schleicher, many aunts, uncles, first cousins, and his beloved cat, Jasper.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Heart of America Council Boy Scouts, or Rotary Youth Camp in memory of Jonathan or Jon Schleicher Eagle Scout.

A memorial service for Jon will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. This service will be livestreamed. A link can be found below under "Services". Following the service there will be a celebration of Jon's life at 1:00 PM at the Family's Home, please call the funeral home at (816) 942-2004 for address.