welcome

Posted on December 28, 2012 by bruce

The site is dedicated to Jonathan Matthew Dailey,
Born July 8th, 1989 – Died October 2012.
This site will be a continuous work – see the Photo Gallery and any recent posts.

Words from Jon’s portfolio/resume:
I grew up in Charlotte, NC in a nice family. I was inspired when I was little to pursue architecture by a scout leader who was also an architect. I studied music performance, enrolled in an arts high school for the violin. I then attended Appalachian State University’s Building Science college where I majored in Architectural Technology and Design and minored in Community & Regional Planning and Music (again with the violin). Beyond being involved with architectural clubs and extracurricular activities, I played in the school orchestra and several bands where I song wrote and sang and all that.
…from an ASU essay:
I remember every detail of the house I grew up in. I can recall every corner, floor material, wall material; every room. I think it’s because my brother and I explored it as much as it could possibly be explored. I literally could go through every single room and give the exact layout…[we lived in that house until Jon was 15]

Some of Jon’s favorite activities and achievements:
beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin
hanging out and traveling with family, playing with his nephews
faithful, quiet, loyal friend
one post-graduate year at Boston Architectural College
graduate of Appalachian State University
Eagle Scout
YMCA Camp Thunderbird Counselor / certified Lifeguard
Leader of Morningstar campus ministry at ASU
songwriting, playing violin, guitar, piano and singing
music performances with various school orchestras, Art Society, Wooden Ships, Fishmilk, gigs with dad and other family members
camping, hiking, water skiing, snow skiing, motorcycling, photography, drawing

Drawn Home

Posted on December 27, 2012 by bruce

Drawn Home was written by Jonathan, in collaboration with Art Society (the music group he co-founded) during 2008 in Boone, NC. Most of the Art Society’s members (Justina Brinkley, Brandon Crockett, Becca Mintz, Jared Sapp, Jessie Stafford and Jon) were students at Appalachian State University at the time. When we were grieving together after Jon’s death, we remembered having several Art Society recordings, and began listening together. As the remarkable, poetic lyrics of Drawn Home progressed and concluded, we were amazed and weeping. It seemed that Jonathan was foretelling the tragedy in the Charles River, but also prophesying his beautiful, eternal redemption from this world.
The video was produced by our friend Nathaniel Calnin, and was the finale presentation at Jonathan’s memorial service.

Drawn Home from Bruce Dailey on Vimeo.

Also see Christmas Morning.

Beautiful Nature

Posted on December 26, 2012 by bruce

Beautiful Nature was written by Spence Hoffman (Jon’s brother-in-law), based on writings and prayers found in Jonathan’s journals.
The video was produced by our friend Thomas Torrey and features Spence, Chris Dailey (Jon’s uncle) and Sarah Stephens (a dear friend), and was presented at Jonathan’s memorial service.

Beautiful Nature from Thomas Torrey on Vimeo.

Christmas Morning

Posted on December 25, 2012 by bruce

Christmas Morning is a song written by Jon and performed by Art Society in Boone around 2009. Here’s a YouTube recording:

…and the lyrics:

What shall I bring but this offering, voice rejoicing, Christmas morning.

And ice falls on this broken-down car of mine, falls on this life, of no design.
And You wait so patiently, for my soul, wait for the day, when you can send Your Son.

Morning lights come, newborn, might’s sum, countless undone, from oppression.
And you, me, him, her, seeming unheard, lift your voice toward that small manger.
Tear off old clothes, dress in new robes, heaven now shows, Christmas morning.

And song is like a treasure unto our ears, clings to these walls, haven from fears.
And love is like a precious mist, in our house, waits to be seen.

Baby’s first breath, listen close lest, fall upon death, but Heaven’s sound saves.
Weary poor souls, heavy world toils, seize celestials, claim Your bounty.
Christ now among, christened all lungs, Christmas song sung, Christmas morning.

memorial & celebration

Posted on October 29, 2012 by bruce

Thank you to those who were able to be with us at the service on November 4th – it was a blessing and privilege to have you there with us. Below is video and picture content from the service.
Also, see the Drawn Home and Beautiful Nature posts.

Kevin & Kylie Dailey singing in Jonathan’s honor:

Kevin & Kylie from Bruce Dailey on Vimeo.

Don Potter’s spontaneous song about Jonathan’s journey:

Don Potter’s spontaneous song from Bruce Dailey on Vimeo.

John Tracy and Rick Joyner speaking and praying:

John Tracy and Rick Joyner from Bruce Dailey on Vimeo.

A picture of dinner (on “Main Street”), after the service:

The fireworks tribute to Jon later that night by Kevin & Jon’s friends:

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The memorial service and celebration to honor Jonathan was Sunday, November 4^th 2012 at Morningstar Fellowship Church, 375 Star Light Drive, Fort Mill, SC. Jonathan’s Eagle Scout project from 2007, a pergola, is right outside the entrance. After a short service, we had a massive potluck dinner. Everything was informal, just as Jon would have wanted it.

Donations:
> In lieu of flowers, please donate to LostNMissing (501c3 nonprofit): www.lostnmissing.com

Jon’s dad

Posted on October 9, 2012 by bruce

Oh Jon, I so wanted to watch you journey through a much longer life: to see you marry the woman God chose for you, to hold your children, to celebrate your destiny and life’s work, to laugh together with our seemingly amazing sense of humor, to enjoy our relationship as father & son also became close friends.

Jon, I would have gladly traded my life to preserve your life here on earth.

There’s a photograph of you in my arms at the hospital the day you were born. I imagine myself saying something like: “Hi there, Jonathan Matthew Dailey, welcome to our family…you’re our little guy, and we love you!” We were so glad you were born after such a precarious pregnancy and birthing. I never, ever thought I would also be the one to deal with the details of your death, and as such a young man – I thought you, your brother and sister together would be here to mourn my death.

Jon, I cherish the memory of sitting at the piano, with you standing by my side playing your violin! We played together for hundreds of hours, reading from the same music stand, practicing your audition material and pieces for performance. I think my favorites to play were the many tunes I charted for the two of us, chosen because of how much we both loved the music.

I’m so thankful for those last few days we enjoyed in Boston together at the end of September: walking and driving all around the city, laughing, eating, cooking, talking about 2012 and pondering the future, praying together, going to the studio, listening to music, watching a movie, discussing books, pondering dreams – I’ll treasure that visit for the rest of my life.

Jon’s friends

Posted on October 3, 2012 by bruce

Thoughts and memories about Jonathan:

Jon, our friendship will go down in the history books as the greatest ever! I will always love you! Your brother,
- Jake Polly

It wasn’t all that long ago that I was nearly living at your house hanging out with Jonathan. So many good memories I could tell in detail about him and how he was a big contributor in making me who I am today. He was so mature, and a natural leader for me, always steering me away from the bad and towards the good. So intelligent. I loved him to the same degree that I love my only sibling Robert.
- Jarrett Johnson

- Brandon

Jon was my Peter Pan, making me braver, helping me fly.
- Jessie Stafford (of Art Society fame)

Jonathan gave me an example of someone who could be himself, live with higher standards, pursue success and still connect with people whose vision or standards were not as high as his own. Since he was four years older than me, he gave me an example I could follow – along that same path. It has made my life and journey much easier.
- JT

…we played in the orchestra at App State together for several semesters. He was always so quiet and thoughtful, sitting towards the back of the violin section…he was a kind and loving person who loved music and wanted to make a difference with his life and his music. My thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him.
- Rachael

When I was eight, a young boy walked into my family’s home on Kirkpatrick Road. His hair was curly like mine, and he wore a red zipped-up wind breaker on top of an over sized t-shirt. He was smiling. My older sister explained to me that he had come over to play. He and I watched “The Iron Giant.” We laughed and sat dazzled by the metallic giant that befriended a lonely child. When the movie was over, his older sister came to fetch him. I remember after he left thinking about how unexpected his visit was, how he almost “appeared” in my young eight-year-old perspective.
He, Jonathan Dailey, became a dear friend throughout my life. He endured two proms with me, he gave me advice, he rolled his eyes at me, he painted with me, he made me go camping, he cooked food with me, he played in a band with me, he challenged me to sing what I really wanted to sing. The likelihood of me becoming a professional singer is low, but the likelihood of me needing to take risks and believe in my life is high. Jon helped me find a part of myself that I may have never found. The Jesus inside of Jonathan Dailey changed me, and tamed a part of my heart that cannot be replaced. One day, when I am an old woman, I will die, and I will see him again, and he will tell me of all the things he’s done and seen, and I will tell him of the family I built and loved, and we will laugh and sit dazzled by the goodness of God.
- Justina Brinkley (also in Art Society)

Tribute to my friend Jonathan Dailey! He loved Vanilla Coke and we used to drink it all the time as kids so here’s to you buddy! I poured a sip out for you! Love and miss you forever!
- Jake Polly, February 2014

Those who we love that have gone before us are always looking down upon us. So JMD I know you can see me writing this. I love you very much. The times we shared and the things we talked about are constantly in my head. You speak to me in my dreams and I carry you with me in my everyday life.
- Jake Polly, February 2014

Jonathan Dailey

We Remember