Jon Mathew Graefser

Jon Mathew Graefser, 14, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at home with his loving family by his side.

Jon’s Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, February 12th at the Azle First Assembly of God, 1020 Southeast Parkway, Azle, Texas, beginning at 2 pm. A graveside service will follow at Azleland Cemetery and Memorial Park, 850 N. Cardinal Road, Azle, Texas.

Jon Mathew was born on March 22, 2006 in Waco, Texas to Shawn and Claudia (Garza) Graefser. He had the most contagious laugh and stunning smile. He was a self-proclaimed comedian and enjoyed making everyone laugh with his witty one-liners. Jon attended school at High Point Academy in Ft. Worth where he loved his friends and educators. Life was meant to be lived, not just survived, and that’s exactly what Jon did through his many interests and hobbies. Like most boys, he enjoyed video games and computers, but he always preferred building and creating with his hands. Jon enjoyed building Legos of all types and sizes, creating paper airplanes of different styles, sizes and paper, making puzzles, and coloring. He was a natural fisherman and hunter. His proud accomplishments -- a 10-point buck and a 497 lb. African Gemsbok – which are proudly displayed in the living room of our home. He loved the beach, especially burying everyone in the sand. He was a foodie who loved trying different flavors, sauces and foods. Jon’s favorite restaurant was Panda Express, specifically for their orange chicken; his favorite drink was cherry coke; his favorite snack was the Cheddar Jack Cheez-Its; his favorite sauces were BBQ and ranch, but he couldn’t eat steak without A1 sauce. Jon had several music playlists on his phone but his go-to was always his “Christ” playlist where he found comfort, strength, and peace in singing praises to our Lord. 

Jon has always loved everything cars, especially his collection of Hot Wheels that he’s been collecting since he was a toddler. Some of his favorite cars are the ‘65 Mustang Fastback, ’69 Dodge Charger RT, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, and the Porsche 911 RSR. In the last few years, he fell in love with RC cars and it became his all-time favorite hobby. He would run his RC cars anywhere and everywhere that he could. Jon was very proud of his collection and was up to 18. He bought several on his own and the others were lovingly gifted to him. They are all different sizes and models. One is a drift car, and the others are crawlers and off-road vehicles. Jon could always be found at the local hobby shop buying replacement parts for his RC cars.  Above all, his ultimate love language was family game nights Monopoly.  When it was his turn to choose the game, he ALWAYS chose the Avengers themed Monopoly. Jon was incredibly competitive and would always have several hotels and owned several properties across the board. He also enjoyed playing Dominos.

Jon was and is the perfect example of what a son, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend should be. His immeasurable love and care for those he loved can never be matched. Jon had a big, soft heart for stray pets, those with disabilities and the homeless. He would always express the sadness he felt for what they were going through and would pray for them. Jon taught us all how to love unconditionally.

I can assure you that Jon has not left us; his memory, his energy, and his being are still here, still shining, still encouraging us. We feel it every day. This is not the end; this is just the beginning of a different kind of being with him.

Jon did not want to be known for having cancer although he fought Medulloblastoma (brain cancer) courageously and gracefully for almost seven years. While his fight did not end the way we had hoped, we know that he has experienced the ultimate VICTORY.  He did everything that was asked of him and then some, all while wearing the most stunning smile. Jon did not lose his battle, every cancer cell in his body has finally DIED FOREVER while he has eternal life, whole and well again!

Jon knew God and He knew him. Now, he is with Him, gazing at his Savior’s face forevermore. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him but we, as Christians, are grateful to know where he is and that we will see him again when we all get Home. What a reunion that will be! 

Until we see you again…we love you so very much, #warrior06.

Jon leaves behind his mother and father; his adoring sister and brother, Carolynn and Kyle; his loving maternal grandmother, Lilia Weston, and Husband, Leonard Weston from Waco; his maternal grandfather, Jesus O. Garza from Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico; Uncles, Daniel Garza, and wife Angela of Waco; Juan Garza of Ft. Worth; and Jose Garza and wife Allison of Round Rock; cousins, Rebecca Chavez, and husband Jose of Waco and Andrew Garza of Burleson; aunt, Kimberly Derda and uncle, Louie; cousins, Tyler, Katlyn, and Devan of Buffalo, New York; aunt, Kelly Stubbs and husband Ben; cousins, Amber, Adrienna, and Alyssa from Buffalo, New York; paternal grandmother, Linda Palczynski, and husband Mike; and many, many, more family members, far too many to name, that loved him dearly.

Jon had an incredible following and was loved by many near and far. Many he had never met and many whom have been by his side for years. You all will forever be a part of our family. We acknowledge you all and love you.

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