Johnathan Sullivan

Johnathan Edward Sullivan, 51, of Plain City, Ohio, entered into the presence of his Lord on August 23, 2025. He was born on November 5, 1973, in Columbus, Ohio, to Edward and Louise Sullivan.

John was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife, DeAnna; his cherished children, Chloe and Gideon; his mother, Louise; and his sister, Kimberly. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward, and his sister, Tammy. He also leaves behind many other loving family members and friends who will deeply miss him.

A godly man of deep faith, John studied the Bible diligently and often taught lessons at church when called upon. His life reflected his devotion to Christ, and he faithfully served as a trustee and deacon of Fellowship Baptist Church.

John’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and encouraging those around him. This year, he climbed Mount Fuji with his son Gideon, visited Mackinac Island with his wife DeAnna, shared a trip to Montreal with Chloe, and enjoyed Broadway plays with his family in Stratford. Beyond adventures, his deepest joy came from watching his children grow into remarkable young adults.

He loved reading, photography, and learning new things. Known for his humor, he delighted in sharing jokes, funny texts, and pictures with loved ones. He had a special gift for encouragement, sending thoughtful cards and messages to brighten the days of friends, coworkers, and family.

A lifelong learner, John earned multiple degrees, including:

• Undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University (where he graduated near the top of his class and served as Articles Editor of the Law Journal)
• Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from Liberty University
• Master of Theology in Theological Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Associate’s degree in Digital Photography from Columbus State Community College (where he later returned as an instructor)

Professionally, John began his career at Squire Patton Boggs, practicing workers’ compensation and litigation. In 2008, he joined Honda, where he served in a variety of leadership roles across the company, including Deputy General Counsel for the Indiana Auto Plant; Assistant General Counsel in Ohio overseeing Litigation, Governance, and Records; Manager of Governance, Risk, and Confidentiality at HDMA; Regional Manager of Trade Compliance, Risk, and Credit at HTA; and most recently, General Counsel and Senior Manager, Compliance, Risk, and Law at Honda Trading America. In each role, John built trusted relationships and was known for his integrity, humility, and wisdom.

John also gave back generously to his community. He served for over a decade with the Ohioana Library Association, including terms as Vice President and President. He also served as a board member of She Dreams Again, a local non-profit organization providing support to victims of human trafficking.

John’s legacy is one of love, faith, learning, service, and joy. He will be remembered for his kindness, his humor, his dedication to family and community, and his steadfast walk with the Lord.

A service to celebrate John’s life will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church, 4701 Winchester Pike, Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Calling hours will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Glory Reins Stables in his honor.