On February 25, Santa Barbara County, the Isla Vista community, and the Sheriff’s Office lost a great community organizer, spiritual leader, and social justice advocate. Father Jon-Stephen Hedges — known for his ministry to the homeless people of Isla Vista, members of his church, victims of tragedy, and first responders alike — died following a short illness. He was 73.
The son of a naval chief petty officer, Father Jon came to Isla Vista in 1968 to attend UC Santa Barbara. He met and married his devoted wife, Melissa, and they had children Benjamin and Sarah, who in turn blessed them with grandchildren. Known for his compassion, tenacity, and dedication, he became a longtime assistant priest in St. Athanasius Orthodox Church, an elected member of the Isla Vista Community Services District, and a beloved member of the Sheriff’s Office, serving for 20 years as a Volunteer Chaplain.
The Sunday before he died, Father Jon telephoned me and asked for a favor. Matter-of-factly, he said he was terminally ill, that he didn’t have long to live, and that he would like to have bagpipes at his funeral. I wasn’t even aware he was ill, and as the shock and gravity of what he had just said set in, I was hit with emotion. But while my voice cracked, his had not a hint of fear or anxiety. He knew where he was going and told me he had been preparing for the journey his entire life. I thought how ironic it was that I was having more difficulty with the conversation than he was, and that through his acceptance, peace, and grace, he gave me comfort, just as he had done so many times before.