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I just got word that Jon Dragan had two strokes on Monday. If you've been to Bridge Day, you would remember him as the guy who gave the water rescue briefing at the jumper meetings on Friday night. They are saying Jon might not make it. Prayers are needed.

A pic of Jon is attached.

 

Jon is a Bridge Day treasure. And ultimately responsible for rescuing more BASE jumpers than anyone else on the planet . . .

My good thoughts are with you, Jon.

NickD
BASE 194

Jason,

If you have an address for well wishes (or condolences, if that becomes appropriate), could you post it?

I think it would be nice if a bunch of jumpers could send cards. So I'll start.

I just talked to Jon's wife, Melanie. He opened his eyes briefly today, but things are still not going very well apparently. She mentioned that they tried to life flight him to Morgantown earlier in the week, but it was delayed due to bad weather.

Jon is apparently not conscious at this time. He is at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. Ruby is one of the best hospitals in the state. Phone number is 304-598-4000. He is in CCU#3. I'm going to try and visit him either tonight or Friday, as I'll be in the area then. So if you want me to send him or his family any messages, just post them here and I'll make sure they get a copy. More info later....

Good vibes and high hopes for Jon's recovery, wishes that his doctor and medical science will prevail.....

Great prayers and good vibes for you and your family Jon!!!!
Blair

Jon and his crew have saved me twice..

Just let him know we dont forget that.

Jason thanks for posting this, John & friends saved me once
I've always enjoyed his briefing's at BD !
He's one of the good guys !

Thoughts and prayers for him and his family

I just got this email from Fayetteville:

They have taken Jon off the ventilator and he is breathing on his own. Also he has opened his eyes and seems to be able to focus. Please continue to lift your thoughts and prayers.

I've been plucked out of the river twice by Jon and his crew, and have always been very grateful for the work they perform.

Please give my best wishes to Jon's wife and family and tell them that we are all sending healing energy and good vibes their way.

Thanks, Jason, for doing what you do.

Peace,
K

Jon passed away last night. He was an organ donor, so they are currently working on getting his organs to others. The family said their goodbyes last night. The fact that Jon might be helping others by donating his organs is very comforting.

More details as I get them. Funeral will be Tues or Wed in Oak Hill.

He was a great guy and will be greatly missed. Here is a pic from his Bridge Day 2004 speech to the crowd.

Rest in Piece, John. You gave greatly of yourself to a group of people who you had no need to help. Your efforts were greatly appreciated, and your selflessness was an example to be followed.

Jason, I'd like to send a card to the family, if there is an appropriate address to do so.

My condolences to the family.

My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Working on it. I'll post the address here shortly.

Shit.

God's got some explaining to do . . .

NickD
BASE 194

my condolences... we will all suffer a great loss...

Jon is going to get the first posthumous "BASE Fellowship Award" and I'm now kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Someone please PM me an address for where I can send it.

NickD
BASE 194

Condolences to his family and wide circle of friends.

What year did Jon begin dragging folks out of the river on BD?

Condolences to his family and friends.

Though I never met you, you helped us all in many ways.

RIP

Cards, letters, etc. can be sent to Jon's wife at:

Melanie Dragan
2 Thurmond Station
Thurmond, WV 25936

also:

Jon A. Dragan Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Leadership Fayette County
310 Oyler Avenue
Oak Hill, WV 25901

The family has requested donations to the scholarship fund listed above in lieu of flowers.

I believe Jon has always done the water rescue since it began in 1984.

Thanks Jason. If they need anything please post it here. Our community needs to be self contained and that is what Jon was helping us with.

Jon and a little later Chris Dragon have been some of our best friends at B Day since at least 84. In 82 and 83, we had kayaks and rubber rafts with orrs. In 83, after the first B Day fatality was a drowning, we used Jon's motorized rafts and experts to rescue us. Never had a problem after that with drowning. Jon was the best and always liked the BASE jumpers. I guess exciting sports ran in Jon's blood too. My best to the family and Thanks Jon for all you did in those formative years of B Day to make sure we got it right.
Rick Harrison

Hello guys. This is Josh Dragan, Jon's son. Thanks for all of the kind words about my father, guys. My dad & I have pulled many of you out of the New River over the years. My father was a special person and I know he enjoyed working with you all and that Bridge Day was near & dear to his heart. Despite all of the rumors that circulated around the state and the country (he made the ticker on CNN), he died on Saturday, February 12th at 8:33 AM. He was 62. The rest of the family & I will miss him dearly. He went way before his time. We hope to be back picking people up this fall if you guys will have us. Bridge Day 2005 is in the process of being dedicated to him and we are grateful to all for making this possible. Thanks so much for your support, prayers and well wishes. He's in a better place. Keep the family in your prayers and we hope to see you in the Fall.

Sincerely,

Josh Dragan

I just got back from Jon's memorial service. The church was packed full at least 30 minutes before the service even started. Many people had to hang out in the basement because there was no room. There were hundreds of people including the NPS, Bridge Day Commission members, and even a TV crew. Bill Bird, my wife Jennifer, and I attended.

I was amazed by all the things Jon accomplished in his life. I had no idea he actually bought a railroad and even a locomotive and was actively hauling things along the RR tracks close to Fayetteville. I never knew Jon went to Antartica, or that he rafted from Tibet into China, or that he helped coordinate water rescue for two major motion pictures. I'm sure there were many things that I wasn't aware of about Jon, but I'm thankful for all the help he's given me and the BASE community. As one person said at the service - "it's not the number of possessions or accomplishments in life that he'll be remembered for, but the number of friends he made along the way".

Probably the funniest thing heard at the service was the fact that in the late 1960's, the Fayetteville locals told him that he'll kill all his clients if he were to start a rafting business on the New River. And now there have been more than 5 million rafters in the New River area. They said Jon saw something that nobody else in the area was able to see.

Bridge Day 2005 will be named after Jon, by the way. Even our new Governor Joe Manchin sent a letter to the Dragan family and it was read at the service.

Bill Bird and I each have a small container of Jon's ashes. Jon will be making his first BASE jump from the New River Gorge Bridge this October as we release his ashes in freefall.

Local Newspaper Articles about Jon:
http://www.bridgeday.info/...es/Jon_Dragan_v1.jpg
http://www.bridgeday.info/...es/Jon_Dragan_v2.jpg

That's a nice touch.

Were there many jumpers there or was it mainly invites ?

The memorial service was open to anyone and everyone who wanted to attend. Word of mouth and the articles in the newspapers spread the news about the service. There was a total of 494 people taht signed the guestbooks. I'm sure that didn't cover everyone though. I'm soory on behalf of the family for everyone that came and had to be re-routed to the basement. We figured on maybe 150-200 people but never imagined 500. We overwhelmed by everyone's thought, prayers and attendance. We had no idea that dad touched so many people's lives! Please continue to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.

Josh

Josh, and Dragan family, it was our honor to be able to pay our respects to such a great man as your father. the base community does not have any idea how much jon has helped (with bridgeday) almost everytime i came to town your father and i met for lunch and discussed bridge day, and his latest venture. knowing your dads brothers and crews , i am sure glad you folks will be carring on his legacy on the river. bridge day just wouldnt be the same without ya!!! It is my deepest regrets in the loss of your father, brother ,husband, and my friend, life as we knew it will never be the same!! GODSPEED JON DRAGAN you have touched many of our lives, thanks for being our friend!!
respectfully,
bill bird

BIll:

Thanks for the kind words. He really enjoyed Bridge Day and it was a great way for all of the family jumpers and Dragans alike to get together and have some fun. To you BIll and all of the base jumpers - THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES! Dad is gonna miss you all. He always thought you guys were the centerpiece in bridge day and were a big part of what it is. Hopefully, we'll see you all in October! Godspeed and best wishes.

Josh Dragan