Jonathan Kha from San Jose and Union City, California, lost his life in a tragic river rafting accident on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the age of 25.
Born on June 16, 2001, a brilliant academic and compassionate coordinator for Asian Health Services, Jonathan spent his young life championing health equity, harm reduction, and trauma-informed support for vulnerable communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was known among his family, friends, and colleagues as a radiant source of joy, light, and laughter. To his loved ones, Jonathan was the ultimate “villager”—someone who taught those around him how to show up, love fiercely, and build a brighter, kinder world.
The Tragedy at Cherry Creek
On the afternoon of July 12, 2026, Jonathan was enjoying a river rafting trip with friends at Cherry Creek Reservoir in Colorado. At approximately 4:50 PM, sudden and strong afternoon winds swept across the water, causing their small inflatable raft to encounter severe difficulties about 150 feet from the swim beach.
While two of the adults on board were able to navigate back to the safety of the shore, Jonathan went underwater and did not resurface. Following a rapid multi-agency rescue and search effort led by South Metro Fire Rescue and local park rangers, dive teams recovered his body. The suddenness of the tragedy has left his family, friends, and the many communities he touched completely heartbroken.
A Life of Purpose: Health Equity and Advocacy
Jonathan’s academic and professional journey was defined by an unwavering dedication to systemic justice and public health.
Education and Campus Leadership
Jonathan graduated from James Logan High School in 2019 before attending the University of California, Davis, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology in 2023. He immediately continued his studies at the UC Davis School of Medicine, earning his Master of Public Health (MPH) in June 2024 with a concentration in General Public Health and Epidemiology.
While at UC Davis, Jonathan was a massive force for student empowerment:
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Vietnamese Student Association (VSA): Served as External Vice President (2021–2022) and President (2022–2023), fostering spaces of cultural pride and unity.
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Academic Instruction: For nearly three years, Jonathan served as a Student Instructor for the ASA 98F course, lecturing on healthcare systems, social justice, and critical race theory to help develop the next generation of healthcare advocates.
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Harm Reduction Initiatives: During his MPH practicum, Jonathan pioneered campus-wide Narcan training and distribution, personally organizing events that placed life-saving kits and resources directly into the hands of students.
Championing Community Healing
Following his graduation, Jonathan joined Asian Health Services in Alameda County as the Community Healing Unit Program Coordinator. In this vital role, he coordinated holistic, culturally competent care for survivors of trauma, domestic violence, and hate crimes, ensuring they had the support needed to heal and thrive.
A Beautiful Legacy of Connection
Beyond his outstanding professional accomplishments, Jonathan’s true legacy lies in the profound personal connections he forged. He was an active member of local running clubs, temple communities, and Filipino-American organizations.
Jonathan is survived by his partner of five years, Ramon, who shared, “You were, and still are, the light… I see you and hear you in everything I do.” He also leaves behind his devoted parents, extended family, and an immense “village” of friends, students, and colleagues who vow to carry his memory forward by being a little kinder, brighter, and braver every single day.
Information regarding future memorial services will be shared by the family at a later date. The family kindly requests privacy during this incredibly difficult time.