Johnny Hurtley,
May 22, 2023
Jonathan Wade Hurtley, 21, a lifelong Marco Islander, passed away on May 22, 2023 in Cape Coral, Florida three days after an accident in a local pool. He was an avid swimmer, having learned to swim independently at two years old. On May 19th, he had been engaged in a routine water workout in a gym pool, exercising his lung capacity. He didn’t have a spotter watching him, lost consciousness while underwater, and never recovered. This is known as Shallow Water Blackout.
Whether you knew him as Little Jonny, with the mischievous grin; Jonathan Wade, the boy who loved his grandparents with all his heart; or Johnny Walker, the rising SWFL musician that had eyes on him from around the country; you were blessed to know him.
As the baby of the family … the youngest of five kids, Johnny was a young man that loved life, adventure, and challenging people’s thinking. Not out of disagreement, but because he loved having critical thinking conversations, and often challenged you to state your case. He may even get under your skin a bit … but if he challenged you, it’s because he cared for you.
Johnny didn’t know a stranger. His friends related stories of how he’d see someone their age sitting alone and introduce himself and bring them in. At the spa with Grandpa, he’d have deep conversations with men even 60 years his senior. He loved to make people smile and when he was around he lit up the room with his personality. Many, many friends described that he literally, “changed my life,” some even saying, “he saved my life, and I will never be the same.”
Johnny was passionate about his music. As early as fifth grade, he was writing music and finding his style. Over time, he developed an incredible ability. In fact, he could rap his lyrics so fast, and for so long without even stopping for a breath. Those in the know call him a genius that was about to make it big. However, he wanted more than accolades. He felt responsible to help pull the crowd from the “angry rap” into a hopeful and meaningful way of living. From one of his own songs, “I figured if I’m gonna preach, I outta practice it… I’m tryna elevate my team, it ain’t no easy feat. The devil calling on my phone but it’s on DND; take me as I am, and I’m praying the Lord my soul to keep.”
Johnny had many other passions as well - one was how strongly he felt about organ donation. And while these conversations make many uncomfortable, he wanted others to have them, and many of his friends and family knew where he stood. The Hurtley family is grateful to report that Jonathan’s donations have already saved four lives and will impact the lives of many more.
Johnny celebrated every day of his life - the good, bad, ugly, beautiful, and everything in between. He was proud of his family, his friends, and the positive, life-giving choices they were making as they learned to make their way in this complicated world. Johnny will be deeply missed by both friends and family.
Jonathan is survived by his parents, Shawn and Michelle Hurtley; Siblings, Joshua, Sarah (Robinson), Jacob, and Josie Hurtley; nephew Samuel, and nieces Aubrey and Clara; his dear grandparents Wade and Sue Keller, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.