Jon Absey South Jordan,UT Death:Original Jazz Bear Mascot Icon Passed Away After Battle With Cancer
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Jon Absey, the man behind the iconic Jazz Bear mascot for 25 years, passed away after a battle with cancer. For a generation of Utah Jazz fans, he was the heart and soul of game-day joy at the Delta Center.
While present for historic basketball moments, Absey’s true focus was never the scoreboard. From within the famous bear suit, his mission was connection. He moved tirelessly through the arena, his piercing, kind eyes seeking out fans to uplift, aiming simply to make everyone smile.
That mission extended far beyond the court. Away from the crowds, Absey dedicated himself to visiting young fans facing terminal illnesses. Without the need for roaring antics, his genuine compassion brought light and comfort to children and families during their most challenging times.
Though the mascot head is now still, the legacy of the man inside endures. Jon Absey will be remembered not for the fur, but for the profound kindness that always, unmistakably, shined through.
