The Hero - "Uncle Jon" Wiggins
- Apr 30, 2023
- 3 min read
My Son Jon was my middle child- he has an older sister Jona and a younger brother Jason who has been with Apopka Police Department going on 30 years. They were all close growing up. Jon was always the fun guy - loved to make you laugh. He also was the Rebel - lost interest in school at 16 so he quit - I was furious but he went to work for a friend of mine - Dumptrucks & Bobcats - Excavation/Dirt Work. We thought Jon would hate it & go back to school - But No - he loved being with the "older Guys"
Then Jon's girlfriend - his sister's friend who was in college and her Dad - retired veteran -along with Jon's brother & stepdad - Jeff Hammond who are Marines- convinced Jon to get in the Marines also- well not going to happen with a GED - SO Jon went back to school & got his credited hours to become a Marine - (Proudly served-4 years)
Jon & Janet were also married but later Divorced- afterwards Jon went back to Construction - Building pools - he loved working outside using his God given Talents. He worked as Hard as He Played - Unfortunately Jon was involved in a car wreck - broadsided by Some one running a stop sign- which unknowingly began an addiction to pain Pills - fast forward a few years of traveling to California to surf the Pacific - Jon came back to Florida.
2009 I walked in on Jon attempting Suicide- it was then I received "some help" from the VA in Gainesville. Jon was diagnosed with PTSD & Bipolar issues. He was treated & given Meds - which Jon soon stopped taking and refused to continue as he didn't want People to know he had a Problem - "Stigma"
He tried to get back in The Marines to get his time built up for his Pension - he was 2 years too old! So he went to the Army National Guard & they said Yes - so he joined. Jon was always Proud to Serve. He was with The Camp Blanding base for nine years- until the day of his passing - January 13,2018- Unfortunately a guy named Austin Smiley (now serving time for murder) who worked for Jon's pool company as a laborer - gave Jon "Something" for his back pain - Fentanyl - My Son Jon took his last Breath at 4:59 a.m.
Jon never had children- just brought home puppies. Jon was one of those guys - if you didn't know him you certainly wanted to know him. Jon loved Surfing and Fishing & Skateboarding as well as Hunting. Like I said Jon Loved the Outdoors & excelled at Everything he did.
He loved his Family & Friends with All he had. His Two nephews & Three Nieces Adored "Uncle Jon" Members of The National Guard spoke at his Celebration - where I found out Jon had the Most Voluntary hours Ever.
Jon Was a Great Soldier - like Sheriff Dennis Lemma said - " Jon spent half his adult years serving his Country" Jon had an infectious laugh like No Other. He is Sorely Missed and Will Never be Forgotten as long as I have breath - love from Jon's Mom
My son Danny Janes was a hair stylist and would cut hair FREE for the homeless every month. Danny also provided FREE haircuts for underprivileged children for the past eight years alongside another non-for profit that would hand out backpacks to the children… Danny was born 10 minutes after his identical twin brother Doug who is still going through survivors guilt, thinking if he had been there that night he could’ve saved his brother… I miss my son so much