We are heartbroken to share that on April 1, 2026, we unexpectedly lost my dad, Jon Royce.

Just hours before, he had been taken by ambulance to the hospital after experiencing shortness of breath and extremely low blood sugar. Despite being surrounded by first responders and later hospital staff, his heart stopped, and after efforts to revive him, he was pronounced gone at 5:36 p.m. Our family is still in shock, trying to process how quickly everything changed.

This loss comes after months of an incredibly difficult and painful medical journey.

In December 2025, my dad developed an infection in his foot due to complications from diabetes. What initially seemed manageable quickly escalated, leading to a partial foot amputation at UTMB in Galveston. He spent over two weeks in the hospital and returned home with a wound vac, beginning what we knew would be a long and challenging recovery.

Despite the setbacks, my dad remained positive. My mom, Brenda, stood by his side every step of the way, along with the support of our family. He attended multiple follow-up appointments, doing everything he could to heal.

Then, just weeks ago during Spring Break 2026, he began experiencing severe pain again. Doctors discovered a serious infection and cellulitis that had become life-threatening. To save his life, they performed a below-the-knee amputation. While the surgery brought some relief, his body had already endured so much.

He was discharged on March 29, even though some of his levels were still low. Our family rallied around him—our local fire department donated a wheelchair, and my grandfather and brother built a ramp so he could safely return home.

Just days later, everything changed.

On March 31, my dad spent hours on the phone trying to secure health insurance coverage, only to be told he did not qualify for marketplace insurance and had not yet been approved for Medicaid. The stress of navigating this system while trying to recover was overwhelming.

The very next day, April 1, he was gone.

My sister and I both live out of town and immediately dropped everything—she drove from Tennessee, and my husband and I came from Austin—to be with our family.

Our mom, Brenda, has not only lost her husband of many years but also her partner in life and business.

For 29 years, my parents have owned and operated Reflections Custom Framing and Engraving. As a small, family-run business, their livelihood depended entirely on their ability to work. Since January, with my dad in and out of the hospital, income has already been significantly impacted. My mom has been carrying as much of the workload as she can, but my dad was the primary craftsman and the heart of the operation.

Now, with his passing, there is an immediate and uncertain loss of income.

On top of that, our family is now facing overwhelming medical expenses from seven surgeries, two hospitalizations, prescriptions, ambulance services, and emergency care—all without the support of health insurance.

As we grieve this unimaginable loss, we are asking for help to support my mom during this incredibly difficult time.

Anyone who knew my dad knows what an extraordinary man he was.

He was the kind of person who would quite literally give you the shirt off his back. He mentored, prayed for, and showed up for countless people in our community without ever expecting anything in return. He loved deeply and fiercely, and his presence was larger than life.

Standing at 6’4” with an even bigger heart, he earned the nickname “Big Jon.” He was creative, talented, and passionate about his work—creating beautiful custom frames and intricate engravings that reflected his artistry and care. He had a way of solving problems with creativity and wisdom, always ready to help his family, friends, and anyone in need.

But more than anything, he loved being a dad and a grandpa—known lovingly as “Bebaw” to his grandchildren.

He opened our home to others, supported us in every dream we chased, and gave the best advice with a heart full of love, faith and support. Even though he always jokingly wanted to know when we were moving back home, we know he was proud of each of us.

The loss we feel is impossible to put into words. He has left a Jon-shaped hole in our lives that will never be filled. While we find comfort knowing he is in heaven, reunited with loved ones, we know he would have wanted more time—to care for my mom, to continue building his business, to love on his grandkids, and to keep showing up for the people he cherished.

If you are able, we ask for your support—whether through a donation, sharing this page, or simply keeping our family in your prayers.

Thank you for helping us honor my dad’s life and support my mom as she begins to navigate life without him.