Jonathan Craig Milavec, 51

January 15, 1974 – August 31, 2025

Jonathan (Jon) Craig Milavec, beloved husband, brother, friend, and creative force, passed away on August 31, 2025, at the age of 51, from complications related to cancer treatment.

Jon was born on January 15, 1974, and built a life marked by curiosity, creativity, and compassion. 

He radiated kindness and drew people in with his positivity, easy humor, and genuine warmth. To know Jon was to feel his joy for life – he lived creatively and confidently, connecting easily with others and giving generously of his time and attention.

During his years at the University of Georgia in Athens, Jon immersed himself in the local music scene, working at WUOG, the college radio station, playing with his band Stuntdouble, and booking artists to perform at his home, affectionately known as “The Landfill.” Music became a formative influence for Jon, fueling a passion for expression that would define his creative life. 

In November 2001, Jon launched Mixed Bag Media, where he served as the company’s Creative Director, spearheading hundreds of video and photography projects and continually inspiring those around him as a dedicated mentor.  

His approach to storytelling was expansive yet intimate. In every project, he had the unique ability to see the big picture, while recognizing the human details that gave stories greater depth and meaning. For Jon, his work was never just about images or words – it was about honoring the people at the center of the story and revealing their journey with empathy and honesty.

Earlier in his career, Jon worked as a camera operator and producer, roles that shaped his eye for the visual and moving image. He carried that artist’s vision throughout his work, setting high standards for himself, encouraging collaboration, and championing the ideas of others.

In 2018, Jon moved from Atlanta to Northern California, fulfilling a lifelong dream to live in the Golden State, where he quickly built a new circle of clients and friends. He had a gift for forging connections and nurturing them, so they became lasting relationships. His generosity extended far beyond his work, as he was always ready with encouragement, guidance, or simply a listening ear.

Beyond his professional storytelling in video and photography, Jon also pursued collage and painting, mediums through which he could experiment, explore, and express his creativity in new ways.

In 2019, Jon was diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma. He never thought of cancer as a battle, and didn’t see himself as a victim. Cancer was an uninvited guest in his life, but he refused to be defined by it. His clear-eyed optimism and refusal to frame his life’s story around the disease allowed him to live fully, deeply, and on his own terms. 

Jon’s greatest legacy is not only in the powerful stories he created but in the countless lives he touched. He will be remembered for his magnetic spirit, his unwavering positivity, and his ability to make others feel truly seen.

Jon is survived by his wife, Lynn Harris Medcalf, his brother, Michael Milavec, and a wide circle of family, friends, and colleagues who loved him dearly.

Jon requested that no formal service be held. Instead, he asked to be remembered for the way he lived. May those who knew him continue to carry forward his spirit of living with generosity and joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jon’s memory to two organizations that reflect his love of creativity and community: the Oakland Chapter of CreativeMornings, a free monthly gathering that celebrates creative life and connects people through shared ideas, or the aRt Cottage of Concord, a welcoming gallery showcasing local artists and nurturing community through art.