ABERDEEN, SD  – Johnathon “John” Lee Lathrop, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away at the age of 41 on May 5th, 2024, in Hillsboro, OR after a long and difficult battle with mental illness. A celebration of John’s life will take place at Pierre First United Methodist Church at 11:00am, Saturday, June 1, 2024 with family greeting visitors an hour prior from 10:00-11:00am.

John was born August 22nd, 1982, in Redfield, South Dakota, to Librada Awa-Ao and Jerry Lee Vance. John grew up in Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 2001. In his youth he was actively involved in the church and enjoyed participating in mission trips. A particularly significant experience for him was the mission to Grand Forks, ND, following the flood in 1997. There, John and a crew from Aberdeen First UMC helped to restore Wesley UMC, a testament to his readiness to serve others.

Music was a love of John’s, and for a time, he channeled this passion into the rhythm of the drums, playing for a local band. Following graduation, John ventured into the construction industry. He relished the manual labor, finding joy in the strength it gave his body and the opportunity to be surrounded by the beauty of nature. His work varied and took him across state lines, but it was the construction of grain bins for the co-op in Pocahontas, IA, that he was proudest of—a testament to the physical legacy he leaves in the tapestry of the landscapes he worked on.

Yet life, with its unpredictable ebb and flow, presented challenges to John. As John aged and the work began to take a physical toll, he had hoped to one day move into a different role and even own his own construction business. Sadly, John never got that opportunity as the physical pain in combination with his bipolar disorder and schizophrenia led him down the path of self-medicating heavily with drugs and alcohol. He would never recover.

In the quieter moments, John’s artistic talents flourished. He spent some time as a tattoo artist, where he not only enjoyed the ink he wore, but loved the responses of those who liked the craftsmanship that he created. In Oregon, his artistic expression found a new outlet as he crafted heartfelt letters and hand-drawn cards for his loved ones, channeling his creativity to celebrate life’s special occasions. His drawings on those letters and cards connected to birthdays, anniversaries and holiday seasons will be forever cherished by his family.

John’s life story is not solely defined by his challenges, but rather by his gifted spirit and the creative soul that will forever be remembered by those who knew him. John, you are loved and will be missed.

John leaves behind his mother, Librada Mills and her husband, Larry, of Pierre, SD; his brother, Jeff Lathrop and his wife, Holly, and by his nephews, Noah and Izaiah Lathrop, and niece, Jordyn Lathrop. He was preceded in death by his dad, Robert Carl Lathrop, and his grandparents, Margaret and Harold Lathrop, as well as Digna and Francisco Awa-Ao.

Memorials/donations may be directed to Pierre First United Methodist Church, for donation to United Methodist Recovery Ministries.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse