Jonas Thomas Linvog, 44, of Bellingham Washington passed away unexpectedly June 25, 2021. Jonas was born in Bellingham on July 19, 1976 to Tom and Madonna Linvog. He attended Sehome High School where he played football and captained the wrestling team. His favorite summer activities were water skiing, backpacking, camping, and working at Camp Firwood. Jonas thrived socially in high school attracting many friends with his thoughtfulness and fun-loving spirit. This magnetism would go on to be a theme of his life as he garnered affection in most every setting.

Jonas went on to work mostly in construction and in food service. He was very skilled at concrete work and enjoyed pointing out all of the homes he'd had a hand in building. Though proud of what he could create with a hammer or a trowel, Jonas preferred to be in the kitchen where he was naturally gifted. You were sure to enjoy a delicious meal if he was involved in the preparation. And when he wasn't the chef, you'd find him doctoring up his food to make it the best meal possible. He loved to learn how things worked and could usually find a method to improve upon it in some way or another.

Jonas was always looking for ways to help the people around him. Whatever was needed, if he had it to give, he'd jump at the opportunity. His tender heart overflowed with compassion for people. So it's no surprise that his time spent at orphanages in Haiti and Mexico were some of the most treasured seasons of his life. Jonas placed no value in the American ideal of building up financial security for himself. He felt at home in sunnier climates where relationships are the measure of wealth. He would have stayed in Haiti for the rest of his life if he could have, often talking about how much he wanted to go back. Here at home Jonas found joy in teaching Sunday school at Cornwall Church for several years. He loved children and was especially fond of spending time with his own nieces and nephews, joking, laughing, playing games and reading books.

On a more sober note, we know that Jonas would want us to honestly address his addictions to alcohol and drugs. He began smoking, drinking, and using 'recreational' drugs in his teens. He once said that they made him feel more 'normal'. Jonas felt life very deeply, so when it got stressful, or when he was triggered by a painful memory, he would turn to a substance to find some relief.  Over the years, he tried to live a 'normal' life, self-medicating just to take the edge off. But despite his best intentions, the use of harder and harder drugs lured him in. The last few years were quite difficult and a grief for his family as they witnessed narcotics take over Jonas' life.

Jonas was often advocating for reconciliation and for expressing the truth and making things right, and he was not shy to apologize to anyone that he had hurt. Given the chance he would say that he is very sorry to anyone that he has hurt or disappointed. He would desire your forgiveness and hope that you could remember him for the fun-loving guy he was created to be. And he may offer you some advice: don't ever use a substance to cover your pain; drugs are a ruthless master. There are better ways to find relief. Don't be afraid to speak your truth in Love. Love each other. Love deeply. Talk to a stranger; a kind word can make someone's day. And finally, put your hope in Christ and the Eternal life that He offers us. God's love is perfect; believe it, accept it, live it, share it.

If Jonas were here in body, he would put his arm around you and tell you that he loves you. And since he is still here in memory, his message would be the same: "I love you!"  He would want you to honor his memory by loving God and loving yourself; by letting go of what doesn't uplift you, and by living a full, fun, adventurous, wonderful life.

Jonas is survived by his parents, Tom and Madonna (Janssen) Linvog; grandmother, Bernice (Carmen) Linvog; sisters: Korinne Linvog and Alysha (Linvog) Robinson; brother-in-law: Mark Robinson; nephews: Caebin Robinson, Brennan Robinson, Liam Robinson; nieces: Lexi Robinson, Aliece Robinson, Sadie Robinson, and Tinley Robinson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the country. In Heaven he joins his grandparents Leroy and Viola Janssen and Earl Linvog, and his uncle Rodney Janssen. The family is deeply grateful to those of you who cared and prayed for Jonas throughout his life on earth. Your love meant so much to him.

Jonas would be honored by a donation to the Haitian children's fund called "Bread of Life" in care of Cornwall Church of Bellingham. Memorial gifts to Lighthouse Mission Ministries of Bellingham would also be appreciated.

Cornwall Church
4518 Northwest Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226

www.cornwallchurch.com/give/

The Lighthouse Mission Ministries of Bellingham
910 W Holly St
Bellingham, WA 98225

www.thelighthousemission.org/donation/

A Funeral Service will be held at the Hillcrest Church in Bellingham, WA at 11:00am on July 6th, 2021.  Graveside Service to follow at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes, WA at 2:30pm on July 6th, 2021. Arrangements are in care of Evans Funeral Chapel of Anacortes, WA.