Jonathan died unexpectedly

in his sleep of a sudden cardiac arrest due to heart arrhythmia.

Jonathan was in the Beta Club, played trombone and the piano and was active

in his church, the Community Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Fayetteville.

He was a popular and well-respected student.

Parents who lose a child channel their grief in many different ways. Mike

and Beth Respess and their two daughters have chosen to do what they can

to prevent other families from facing the same tragedy. They have teamed

up with the American Heart Association and are getting involved.

Mike has joined the board of the local Fayette County American Heart Association

and is spearheading "Team Jonathan." He has enlisted the aid

of a large group of Jonathan's friends and teammates to help raise money

and awareness to fight heart diseases.

Jonathan suffered from a disturbance of the electrical system of the heart

something that is happening with increasing frequency in young people

who appear to be healthy, just as Jonathan did. All of the funds being

raised by Team Jonathan will be used to support research in heart arrhythmia

and increase the public's awareness of the effect of heart arrhythmia

on young people.

Some conditions can be detected with tests, such as EKGs, and can be treated

with medications. Education and research save lives. Team Jonathan is

currently working with Fayette Community Hospital, Occumed Medical Management

in

Peachtree City, the Fayette

County Board of Education and other volunteers to host a number of events

in Fayette County to raise money and raise awareness.

For information on Team Jonathan, phone Mike or Beth Respess at 770-719-0828.

Heart of Gold Golf Tournament Benefit for Team Jonathan and American Heart

Association September 19th Whitewater Country Club Registration: 11:00

a.m. Lunch: Noon Shotgun Start: 1:00 p.m. Registration & information:

Gold's Gym Peachtree City - 770-631-9901 or www.JmacSnippets.com/Heart_of_Gold.htm

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