Jan 5, 2018 By Mike Jones regional Editor mjones@observer-Reporter.Com 5 min read

Jonathan Flickinger’s family is learning, in the days after his death Dec. 28 from injuries suffered in a car crash in Butler County, just how much of an effect he had on those who knew him.

As a boy, Jonathan would organize his massive Sports Illustrated magazine collection in the bedroom of his South Strabane home in such a meticulous fashion that only he could find the edition he was looking for, said his older brother, Chris.

Those organizational skills translated later in life when the Trinity and Washington & Jefferson graduate would make detailed notes in his day planner, remembering both special and tragic dates for relatives, friends and coworkers. He often would send handwritten notes or text messages to boost their spirits or lend support, Chris said.

“The level of detail and organization was phenomenal,” Chris said. “That’s what people liked about him. He’d take action to make people feel special.

“He genuinely cared about people.”

His family is now seeing how many lives were touched by Jonathan, a 34-year-old South Fayette resident who, with his wife, Jenna, had two young children, 3-year-old daughter Lydia and infant son Isaiah.

In November, Jonathan was named chief human capital officer at Quality Life Services in Butler. But family was most important, Jenna said.

“We meant everything to Jonathan,” she wrote in an email. “He had a passion for work, but more than that, he worked hard because he knew he was providing for his family. He wanted to provide for us, because he knew the importance of me staying at home and raising our children. In the past few weeks, he told his dad, mom and me that his life felt complete and full and that he had everything he ever wanted. That, alone, gives us a little peace, knowing how happy he was.”

Chris said as busy as Jonathan was working through the week, he dedicated Saturdays as “date days” with Lydia. They would cut out coupons and go grocery shopping together.

“Those Saturdays were his day with Lydia,” Chris said. “There’s a photo of her applying makeup to his face. He’s wearing eye shadow, and he’s going along with it.”

Support for his family is now pouring in from all over. A “Go Fund Me” website, which was launched after Jonathan’s death to raise money for his family, has nearly tripled its original goal of $15,000. By Jan. 5, the website had raised nearly $44,000, with donations pouring in from across the country and world.

Jonathan and Jenna met through an online dating service and dated just four months before he proposed, his brother said. In spring 2012, the couple was traveling through the Fort Pitt Tunnels when Pittsburgh appeared and Jonathan pulled out a ring and said, “Four months, huh? How about forever?”

They married in June 2013. Jonathan used the original wedding band his grandfather, Allan Bunner, wore when he married Mary Ann in 1952. Jonathan’s maternal grandparents still reside in Washington.

“He was just unusual; it was his character,” Allan Bunner said. “He just loved people and loved his work. He would volunteer to help anyone and was always available to give advice, whenever he thought it would be helpful.”

Jonathan had many “friends” on social media websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, Chris said, but the family is now finding out how deep those connections were.

“Are you really a friend or an internet connection? We’re finding out that Jonathan wasn’t just connected, but someone who engaged with these people,” Chris said. “The stories we were told from people we didn’t know – we didn’t know half of the people who showed up (at the funeral) – and the things he did for somebody.”

Jonathan looked up to his parents, Tom and Debra, and tried to emulate his father, Chris said.

“He idolized my dad and became him,” Chris said. “Now he’s someone my dad admires more than ever.”

Chris said his brother – known as “Little Flick” in high school before dropping the adjective later in life – was incredibly motivated and put himself through law school at Duquesne while also working full time at the TGI Fridays restaurant near Washington. He helped many of his co-workers at the time with legal advice, and later offered professional support for one who was looking for another job.

“He was giving legal counsel while serving ribs,” Chris said with a laugh.

After graduating from Duquesne with his law degree in 2011, Jonathan showed an interest in UFC mixed martial arts fighting. He made connections in that arena and eventually landed a job for StarPR Las Vegas, which worked with the MMA organization. Chris recalls him even grabbing a competitor’s autograph for a former Trinity classmate, Brant Mack, who had told him about his enjoyment of the sport.

“Brant mentioned he liked this particular fighter in UFC, and Jonathan, having connections, gives him a signed autograph of his idol. He was recounting this story to me and I’m thinking, ‘Who does this? Who picks up on this little nuance?’

“That’s the type of person Jonathan was.”