Jonathan N. Angelo

Age 31, of Oakdale, passed away unexpectedly on July 18, 2025.

He will be sadly missed by mother, Jody (nee Racek); and father, Mark (Lara); paternal grandfather, Phil Angelo; and many other friends and family.

Jonathan was a talented, fun-loving, young man. He was rightly proud of his 4 years in the Marine Corps. Serving his country in the Marine Corps was his life long dream. He was deployed twice and was proud of his service in the Corps. During his military career Jon lived on both coasts and travelled to Australia, South Korea, and Japan. He spent time on the USS Green Bay which is so fitting as he was a die hard Green Bay Packers fan and even owned shares in the Packers.

Unfortunately, his position as a Combat Engineer saddled him with unrecoverable injuries. He battled with debilitating pain from the loss of most of his pancreas, his back injuries, and his multiple traumatic brain injuries. Much of his physical and mental health battles were fought in silence. It is important to remember the challenges he faced, even as we celebrate the wonderful memories he gave us.

Jon loved the great outdoors. Jon and his dad spent many years in Cub and Boy Scouts hiking, exploring, and going on monthly campouts. They camped in the Boundary Waters in the winter and at Tomahawk Scout camp in the summer. On these campouts, Jon was the kid who rigged up a small solar panel to power a radio and lights for his tent.

Ever since he was young, Jon had a talent for electronics that was always beyond his years. This love of electronics led to Jon enrolling in electronics classes at the Pavek Museum after visiting the museum with his Scout Pack. Each Saturday, the family would drive across town so he could learn about electronics and build all kinds of buzzers, bells, radios, and motors. The instructors at Pavek recognized Jon’s skill and asked him to be a student teacher as he was as skilled at connecting with the kids as he was at the electronics. It was a volunteer position, but the Pavek staff “paid” him by giving him spare wires, resistors, and other electronic parts that he used in projects at home. He enjoyed the planning and creating. After each class, the family would have Chicago-style hot dogs at Joey Ds in Minneapolis.

Jon was a member of the inaugural Woodbury club track team. He held the Minnesota state club team record in the 800 meters and the 1,500 meters for a number of years. In 2004, Jon participated in the National Junior Olympics as a 10-year-old, competing in the 1,500-meter run. Jon was also a member of the 4x400-meter relay team that set the Lake Jr. High School record which also stood for several years. He could do anything he put his mind to.

Jon loved playing with and walking his dog, Athena who he raised from a pup. He loved her and treated her like a princess. He enjoyed taking videos of her antics. She is lost without him.

Jon will live on in the memories of those who loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 2:00-6:00 P.M. at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater.

Memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warrior Project honoring the assistance they provided to Jonathan and his caregiver mother, and to the Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication, honoring the fun times he had at the Museum.