Celebration of Life

Jonathan Alexander “Jonny” Quinton

UM-Flint Lecturer II, College of Health Sciences
Presented by: Jennifer Blackwood, Professor of Physical Therapy and Physical Therapy Director, College of Health Sciences

Jonathan Alexander “Jonny” Quinton, age 42, of Blissfield, died unexpectedly on Monday, October 20, 2025. He was born December 9, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea, the younger of two children of Russell and Mak (Ha) Quinton.

Being raised in a military family, Jonny lived in several places during his formative years, and settled south of Jackson prior to graduating from Hanover-Horton High School with the Class of 2001. Pursuing a career as a physical therapist, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University before obtaining his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan in 2010. It was in physical therapy school that he met the love of his life, Ypsilanti native Emily Theresa Louise Darragh. They married on July 16, 2011, in Ann Arbor.

In 2013, Jonny and Emily purchased the physical therapy practice in Blissfield, Michigan, a community that embraced them as they began laying their roots and raising their family of three children, Sofie, Lyla, and James. Over the next decade, they built and grew Transcend Physical Therapy. Jonny cultivated strong bonds between his co-workers, effectively creating the “Transcend Family”. He was a kind and compassionate therapist who loved building foundational relationships with his patients. He enjoyed cracking jokes, bantering with co-workers, and making up song lyrics on the fly to entertain the room.

Committed to his community, Jonny was a passionate and involved member of the Blissfield Rotary Club and volunteered with the Adrian Literacy Center. He enjoyed spending evenings and Saturday mornings coaching his children’s teams in soccer, softball, and basketball. Jonny could be found every Sunday morning at elem3nt church, coffee in hand.

Jonny was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions and Dallas Mavericks. He enjoyed playing basketball and was essential in founding the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Blissfield, of which his team won twice! He loved playing video games and watching movies with his children, fishing with his father, and enjoying his mother’s amazing Korean cooking. He enjoyed family trips to Miami, Florida to visit his sister and her family. His competitive nature drove him to dominate cornhole tournaments during family camping trips. Every year, he rallied his friends for an epic tubing trip down the Rifle River.

Jonny was a loving, encouraging, and supportive father and husband. He was generous and selfless and taught his children how to love and how to be loved. He is remembered for showing his love and charm with his quick wit and humorous sarcasm along with movie quotes and rap lyrics. He made a huge impact on everyone who was fortunate enough to know him and he will be greatly missed.

Jonny is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Emily, and their three wonderful children, Sofie Alexandra, Lyla Grace and James Lee; his parents, Russell and Mak Quinton of Blissfield; his sister and best friend, Kahnee June (Manny) Rodriguez of Miami, FL; his maternal grandmother, Phyllis “Maralee” Quinton of Indianapolis, IN; his parents in-law, Rick and Debbie Darragh of Ypsilanti; siblings-in-law, Ben (Christine) Darragh of Ann Arbor and Anna (Brian) Publiski of Milan; and his beloved canine companions, Roxy and Ollie.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ha Shim Dook and Kan Ok Soon; and a paternal grandfather, Marion LeRoy Quinton.