My name is Sammi, and I’m creating this GoFundMe in honor of Jonas Feeley—someone who was not just a friend, but truly like a brother to me. Jonas was the kind of person who showed up, who loved deeply, and who left a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to know him. His presence brought laughter, loyalty, and comfort, and his absence leaves an ache that words can’t fully explain.

Jonas Feeley was a man who lived his life with his heart wide open.

He was adopted from Lithuania when he was five years old. He loved America and the opportunities it provided him, and he chose to become an American citizen as a teenager. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18 to give back to the country he so loved.

In 2006, while serving in the Army, he met his wife Emily, who was also serving in the Army, and they married in Denmark in February 2007.

His big heart was evident from a very young age, helping other children in the orphanage, and continued throughout his life through serving in the Army, caring for his family, his friends, and his neighbors with kindness and loyalty.

Jonas was a disabled combat veteran. He served two tours in Iraq on active duty, including a 16-month and 12-month deployment in Tikrit—first with the 1st Armored Division after serving in the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion out of Germany and then again with the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. After separating from the Army in 2011, he completed another 16-month deployment as a contractor, this time to Afghanistan.

Jonas and Emily are both disabled veterans, but never let it stop them from pursuing their dreams. Three years ago, they purchased a 12-acre horse farm with the vision of providing a safe and healing environment for both horses and humans, including veterans and first responders, to benefit from equine-assisted learning. They have been boarding and rehabilitating horses since they opened the farm.

On December 17, 2025, Jonas went to the emergency room with mild flu-like symptoms. Throughout the day, his condition worsened, and by early evening, the doctors had discovered that Jonas, though seemingly healthy and full of vitality just a day prior, had acute myeloid leukemia. This caused a cerebral hemorrhage (brain bleed) that could not be operated on due to the leukemia. On December 18, just 36 hours after walking into the emergency room, Jonas passed away surrounded by his wife, their family, and friends. He was only 38 years old.

Your donation will directly support Emily in keeping the farm, enabling her to continue their mission of providing a safe space for horses in need of rehabilitation, as well as for veterans, first responders, and their families to experience the healing power of equine-assisted learning.