South OC Community Rallies After Death Of Mission Viejo Teen

MISSION VIEJO, CA — A South Orange County family is grieving the loss of a teenager who died in a car crash in October.

Landon Jackson was a junior at Mission Viejo High School when he died in the Oct.23 crash. Landon’s cousin, Ashley Wagner, told Patch that he was a special kid who was the “baby cousin” of the family.

“Anyone who knew Landon would tell you he had the biggest heart. Friend or stranger, he had a special way of making anyone he interacted with feel important,” Wagner wrote on the family’s GoFundMe page. “He always knew how to put a smile on your face or make you laugh, even if you were feeling down.”

Landon also had a big heart for people and animals, Ashley said. He enjoyed playing video games, as his dad owns Mission Viejo Play and Trade. He was also involved in seasonal activities at his grandparent's ranch, and held family above everything else in his life.

"He loved anything that let him be outdoors or working with his hands, including working construction with his dad on weekends," Ashley said.

The Mission Viejo community, along with communities across Orange County, have rallied together to help support the Jackson family. As of Tuesday, residents managed to raise a little over $5,000 out of the $15,000 goal set up by the family to help pay for funeral expenses and other costs.

“The amazing community that has risen up and supported the family and spoke so much about Landon has been a comfort to us,” Ashley told Patch.

Orange County residents looking to extend a helping hand to the Jackson family can do so by visiting the family’s GoFundMe page.

The service to celebrate Landon's life and memory will take place Dec. 17, according to the family's GoFundMe page.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.