Chris Bradley Jonasson Obituary

It is with painful, heavy hearts that we announce the sudden death of Christopher Bradley Jonasson of Edmonton, Alberta the age of 51. Chris was born in Edmonton and spent most of his youth in Prince George, BC before returning to Edmonton. He was a person of many talents and significant potential, excelling at most things he tried. He was a talented football player, and college scouts took serious note of him at a young age. Chris was proud, kind, sensitive, humourous, exceptionally intelligent, artistic, a loyal friend, and he always stuck up for the underdog. In school, his teachers wanted to skip him ahead a grade but our parents said to just give him more work. In turn, the teachers had him help classmates who were having difficulty with different subjects and assignments, also giving him the extra responsibility of checking in on a troubled classmate. That responsibility resulted in the first of a few significantly traumatic events for Chris, at a tender young age. Not surprisingly, he later fell in with people who weren't like him and made some poor choices. As a result of the trauma and those choices, Chris faced detrimental consequences and developed a deadly addiction. The ensuing effects and circumstances all but destroyed his once brilliant potential, and saw him entrenched in the kind of lifestyle that would bring anyone down. As notably strong, both in character and physically as he was, it all eventually took its toll on Chris. Still, those who truly knew him saw the person he was beneath the effects of addiction and the trauma he had endured. Animals and children still loved him as much as he loved them, which speaks to his true character. Chris had twin boys in his twenties and lost one to violence in 2021. He suffered tremendously from that loss and fell deeper into addiction. He was once a true warrior, but after losing his son so tragically, he seemed to have lost his will, and all who knew him lost a person of admirable attributes & values.
Chris is survived by two sisters, Toni and Lisa; one son, Jordan; daughter-in-law, Sarah; one granddaughter and one grandson; several nieces and nephews; long-time friend and ex-partner, Patti, as well as other loved ones. He was predeceased by his son, Justin; parents, Chris and Marilyn; and eldest sister, Tami. Chris did not wish to have an official service, but had previously stated he wanted to have a viking funeral; he was proud of his Icelandic heritage. His sisters plan to give him that send-off at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local inner-city charity, a drug & alcohol education and rehabilitation program, or a program for at risk youth. Our hope, and what we know would be Chris's hope as well, is to help prevent another person from turning to substance use and sparing them and their loved ones the same kind of pain. For those who are in the grips of addiction, PLEASE seek help. It doesn't have to be this way.
Chris, our lives are so much richer for having had you in it. Your memory will always be cherished until we meet on the other side of the veil.
With all our love...