Community Rallies Behind Barrington Family that Lost Son/Brother in Weekend Bike Accident

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The Barrington community is stepping up to lift a local family coping with the sudden loss of their 12-year-old son and brother. Station Middle School 7th grader Johnathan “Jak” Kallas died Saturday, January 14th after suffering a head injury while biking with friends near Citizens Park. Donations to a GoFundMe page created Monday by Jak’s father Kevin reached nearly $25,000 in the first 12 hours with close to 300 contributions received, and counting.

According to news reports citing both Barrington police and the Cook County Medical Examiners office, Jak was found unresponsive at his home at 3:40 p.m. Saturday following an earlier fall from his bike on the 400 block of Lake Zurich Road. He passed away a couple of hours later after being taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

In an emotional appeal to family and friends via a GoFundMe page created Monday, Jak’s father Kevin Kallas writes…

“Greetings Family and Friends. On Saturday Jan 14, 2017 our son Jak Kallas (12) was being the adventurous boy that we knew him to be. While riding his bike with some friends he suffered an injury to his head. Within a few short hours the brain injury took his life. We have suddenly been plunged into the realm of having to adjust to the loss of our firstborn, how that will impact our family from here forward, and the myriad of logistical pieces to deal with his death. While we are confident that the Lord will give us the strength to sustain us through, we are also acutely aware of the financial burden Jak’s medical treatment and burial will be. If in this time you are inclined to support the memory of Jak’s life with a finacial gift, our family would be extremely grateful.”

CLICK HERE to contribute to the Jak Kallas Memorial Fund.

Barrington 220 spokeswoman, Morgan Delack says additional counselors and social workers will be at Station Middle School starting Tuesday to help students cope with the sudden loss of their friend and classmate.

Jak’s visitation will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Village Church of Barrington, 1600 East Main Street. His funeral will also be at Village Church of Barrington at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 19th, with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Jak Kallas Memorial Fund, C/O Barrington Bank and Trust, 201 S. Hough Street in Barrington, IL 60010.

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