We are sad to announce the passing of Jonathan Javad Jalali on May 7, 2021 in Ashland, Oregon at age 87. He was born on January 20, 1934, in Shahrood, Iran to Mirza and Sakineh Jalali. Javad grew up in Shahrood. He left home at age 15 to attend Daneshsarayeh Moghadmati Tehran High School, one of the most prestigious high schools in Iran, on a full scholarship. Javad graduated in 1951. He taught high school in his hometown of Shahrood at age 18.
After a few years of teaching he attended Daneshsarayeh Aali University Tehran where he studied language and filmmaking. Javad studied under film professors from Syracuse University while at University of Tehran. He traveled with an entourage of the Shah of Iran during a railroad trip as a member of the film crew documenting the Shah's journey across Iran. He graduated in 1960 and went to work for British engineers working in Iran as their guide and interpreter, guiding them safely across the dangerous deserts of Iran.
Javad saved his money and decided to come to the United States in 1963. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean onboard the USS United States, crossing from Marseille, France, and eventually sailing into New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty. He crossed the U.S. by train and began studies at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande, Oregon, where he wrestled and was captain of the soccer team. It was in La Grande that he met the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Howard. Javad and Bonnie were married in 1965. They moved to Portland where Javad finished his BA in Accounting from Portland State University in 1967. He graduated with an MBA in Finance from PSU in 1971. Bonnie and Javad then moved to Iran, where he was a professor of business at the University of Tehran, and Bonnie taught American and European students in English at an American school. Bonnie became pregnant while there and returned to the United States, since Javad was adamant that his son would be born on American soil.
Javad also returned to America, where he became a U.S. citizen in 1971. He legally changed his name at that time and chose the name Jonathan Javad Jalali for himself, or Jon, as his friends would come to know him. He was always very proud to be a United States citizen. Jon worked in State of Oregon and city finance offices until landing the position of Finance Director for the City of Medford, Oregon in 1978. Jon, Bonnie, and their son David moved to Medford that year, where Jon would retire from that same position in 1999. In 1985, after saving for nearly a decade, Jon, Bonnie, and David traveled to Europe for 6 weeks, visiting 13 countries in western and eastern Europe. He was a member of the Oregon National Guard, achieving the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Jon was an amazing husband and father. He was loved enormously by his family and many dear friends, and he will be missed by people all over the world. Jon enjoyed traveling, fishing, bicycling, reading, spending time with family and friends, and spending time on the Rogue River and on the Oregon Coast. He was known for his vast kindness and generosity, for his winning smile and his infectious laugh. He excelled as finance director for the City of Medford, winning national awards for accounting and city budget in numerous years. He could remember in city council meetings which page and where on that page specific information was located when asked during city budget meetings in a 500-page budget document. But beyond Jon's incredible business acumen, he will be remembered for his unconditional love by those whom he loved the most. Now he is at peace and in heaven with Bonnie.
Jon is survived by his son David (Lexie), granddaughter Madison, and brother Mohammad Bagher (Sedigheh). He was preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, his sister Batool, and his parents Mirza and Sakineh.
A memorial service will be held to honor Jon's life on May 29, 2021, from 2-5 pm in Ruhl Park, on the corner of Modoc and Hillcrest in Medford. In Lieu of flowers and in memory of Jon and to honor first responders, and especially the nurses of the Asante Ashland Community Hospital ICU, please make donations to Doctors Without Borders at https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/ .
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