Hundreds filled Progressive Baptist Church in Lafayette as a basketball standout was laid to rest Thursday afternoon.
18 year old Jo’Nathan “Jo” Delacroix died May 8th from an accidental gunshot wound*. The young man was only two weeks away from graduation at Northside High.
The teen was well known for his three-pointers on the court and his smile off the court. Girlfriend, Shana Damon said, “He loved life and never stopped smiling. You would never know that he went through so much.”
After the services, Jo’s mom, Shelia, shared some of her favorite memories, which included rushing to basketball games.
“He would always say, ‘Come on, we are going to be late.’ So, there I go, speeding down the street to get him to the gym on time. Every game, I was there.”
The church was filled with friends, family and classmates; “fans” gathered together to celebrate his short life. Shelia may have laid her only son, her heart and soul to rest, but she said in her loss, she also felt a win.
“I’ve gained a lot of kids now. Spiritually, physically and mentally they all here for me,” she said.
Family and friends found strength in the image of Jo leaping for the basketball goal one last time. “Fly high Jo” is a theme many will continue to hold close to their hearts.
*According to police, Jo’Nathan and 18-year-old Anthony Beloney were playing with a gun when it went off and struck the high school senior in the face. Jo’Nathan later died at the hospital. Beloney was charged with negligent homicide and possession of marijuana.