John Michael "J.J." Ascani

life story

A wonderful son, brother, friend, and volunteer

"Life is too short to be shy." - J.J. Ascani

About John Michael

John Michael Ascani, best known as J.J., went home to be with the LORD on Tuesday, August 16th, 2022. He was 16 years old.

J.J. was born the youngest of 3 on the 1st day of Spring, March 20, 2006 in Covington, Louisiana. He had 2 older sisters. He became a resident of Sachse, Texas in 2013 when he gained many new additions to his family; a dad, 3 older step-sisters and a younger step-brother. However, "step" was never in his vocabulary or his heart.

J.J. may not have been born a Texas boy, but he sure became one quickly. He loved the outdoors: camping, hiking, backpacking, climbing anything, swimming, going out to the woods on his family's property and learning survival skills and target shooting, etc. He looked forward to every August, when his mom and dad would take him on a 2 week camping/backpacking trip and use those survival skills in the mountainous wilderness of Colorado.

J.J. was extremely social, never met a stranger no matter their age, loved to smile and laugh, and had a real servant's heart. He gathered lifelong friends from all over his neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, never caring about age, gender, religion or ethnicity. He was homeschooled from the age of 6, and he enjoyed the educational freedom that fit his personality and lifestyle. He always looked forward to his co-op classes at RHSA with his friends and whatever field trips he could be signed up for through various homeschool groups. He was a member of Pursuit Christian Fellowship since the age of 7 years, where he grew up in children's church and youth group. He always went to church in a suit and tie, even though no one made him. For the last 2 years of his life, J.J. would ride his bike or scooter to the local food pantry where he would serve the community 4 to 5 days a week. He served as First Officer of his Trail Life USA Troop TX-3702 where he enjoyed leading the younger boys, planning camping trips, earning awards, and also serving the community. J.J. got his first job at 15 years old as a lifeguard where he saved 3 children his first summer. He loved the service so much that he continued on as a lifeguard until his passing. He worked 50+ hours a week in the summer and 30+ hours during the school year to save enough money to buy an old truck that he could rebuild and restore. After high school, J.J. had planned on attending a local trade school to become a welder, but he was also considering working as a ranger for the National Park Service.

J.J. has earned many awards through his Trail Life USA Troop over the years, and was on his way to earning The Freedom Award which is the highest award. He was honored with the Sachse Mayor's Excellence Award in October 2021 by Mayor Felix, and the President's Volunteer Service Award in May 2022 for his 250 service hours in 2021. He was scheduled to earn another President's Volunteer Service Award in October 2022 for his service hours this past year. Even after death, J.J. continued his legacy of serving others and saving lives. His organs were donated, and he was able to save 6 other lives with at least 1 being a child. His name will be added to The Celebration of Life Donor Monument in Salt Lake City.

J.J. is survived by his parents, Michelle and Jeremy Colombo; his siblings, Mackenzie, Carlie, Emily, Colleen, Jolie, and Evan; his father, John Eymard; as well as many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

memorial service

Pursuit Christian Fellowship

August 26, 2022