On September 18, 2010, just a few days prior to his 13th birthday, Jonathan Andrew Soud passed from the loving arms of his family into those of our Lord. His courage in his battle against leukemia and its attendant complications, and the noble spirit with which he conducted it, were examples to all. Jonathan fought the good fight.
From the time he was born, Jonathan was the light of our lives. God endowed him with a gentle spirit, a loving compassion, and a joy for life that made him a delight to be around. Everyone knew his smile—it radiated warmth and kindness. These traits expressed themselves in all of his interests and activities.
Always musically inclined, Jonathan took up piano at age 7, progressing to the point of playing Beethoven, earning Superiors at the local competition of the National Federation of Music Clubs, and being honored with the Student of the Year Award by his piano instructor. A year ago he began learning clarinet, going on to earn the Beginning Band Award at The Bolles School last spring. He always enjoyed attending performances of the Jacksonville Symphony.
He loved our church, where he served as an acolyte. His youth group friends were extremely important to him, and he especially enjoyed performing in their annual variety show and leading worship on Youth Sunday. Character mattered, too: at school he chose to run for and was selected by a faculty committee for the Middle School Honor Council.
He was a merry traveler, always ready to take the next family trip to the Grand Canyon or to Maine. He could spend hours on Google Maps or buried in an atlas, exploring the four corners of the globe. His favorite television shows were Globe Trekker and Aarti Party, and he never hesitated to try new foods, whether it was jamón from Spain or sushi from Japan. As someone once remarked, at age 12 he had a more adventurous palate than most adults.
Jonathan loved to run long distances and well knew the meaning of endurance. On his last 2-mile run with the cross-country team, in the heat of a May afternoon, he was, unbeknownst to all, already exhibiting the early signs of leukemia. Yet Jonathan finished the race.
Our family often said that Jonathan was easily the best human being among us, and he constantly proved that through his selflessness, his generosity, and his courtesy. Even in the depths of his illness he cooperated with his doctors and nurses like few other patients, and he never failed to thank them for anything they had done for him. He loved his caregivers, and his sweet spirit and gentle patience elicited love and admiration from them. Though only a child, Jonathan understood that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Jonathan is survived by his parents (Steve and Cathy), his sister Natalie, his brother Paul, his maternal grandmother (Alice Verlander), his paternal grandparents (Gene and June Soud), and a host of other family members. In faith, we look forward to the day we are reunited with Jonathan in God’s Kingdom.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the staff of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, who not only cared for him but for our family as well.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 24 from 5-7 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home (4115 Hendricks Ave). A memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 25 at 11 a.m. at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (2137 Hendricks Ave).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Wolfson Children’s Hospital (841 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, 32207), the Bolles Middle School Band Program (7400 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, 32217), or South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (2137 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, 32207).
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