Jonathon M. Handy

Jonathan Michael Handy, 38, never met a stranger. He never had a bad word about anybody, saying “That’s who they are.” He touched so many people and had a heart for everyone. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI but lived in Grayling, MI though high school. Jon was a freestyle skier, more than the typical slalom ski teams appreciated, which led to a few funny comments by his coaches on the Grayling Ski Team, who told him he couldn’t race in both styles. He then studied Computer Aided Design (CAD) at Northern Michigan University (NMU) for 2 years but loved skiing at Marquette Mountain most.

His first job was as a ski technician at M.C. Sporting Goods in Grand Rapids. Eventually, many companies in Michigan and the Midwest sought him out for is expertise in setting up sporting goods stores, his specialty certifications in boot fitting on skis and snowboards and his excellent advice for ski tuning. He truly cared about everybody and wanted the best for them. Jon won several regional Huck Finn slope-style competitions for his division. Those sent him to Colorado, where he placed in the finals at Copper Mountain X Games. He especially enjoyed skiing in the mountains of Colorado and Utah.

In other sports, Jon was an All-State goalie for Grayling’s soccer team for four (4) years, but his favorite team all his life was the Detroit Tigers. They were a constant conversation topic for him, and he attended many Tiger games. He also loved music, which was evident in the mixes he made for himself and others as “tunes to shred by”. Jon enjoyed hip-hop, rap, and even the Beatles. He especially loved golfing with his dad, disc golf with his buddies and family AMTRAK trips across the country.

After being raised in a Christian home, Jonathan became a Christian himself about a year ago, after the house he was living in caught on fire while he wasn’t home. Normally he would have been home at that time, and it was a miracle he didn’t burn up in it. His new landlords were Christian and helped him to find Jesus. He attended Frontline Church in Grand Rapids, mostly online, and took pleasure in reading scripture and learning new verses that applied to his life. His favorite books of the Bible were Psalms and Proverbs, and a favorite verse was Romans 8:28 – “For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Jon was preceded in death by his mother, Karen R. Meier, grandparents Steve and Clara Meier, grandparents Bruce and Edith Handy and uncles, Joseph, Gary, and Steve Handy. He is survived by his father Donn Handy, adopted mom, Debbie Carrigan, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and hundreds of close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cannonsburg Ski Patrol 616-874-5730, or Hansen Hills Recreation Area 989-348-9266. Celebrations of Jon’s life will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 1-4 pm at Cannonsburg Ski Area in Belmont, MI and Friday, June 13, 2025 from 5:30-9 pm at Hansen Hills Recreation Area in Grayling, MI.

Jon will be laid to rest at Beaver Creek Cemetery, Beaver Creek Township, MI.

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