TMI Episcopal honors middle school student lost to Sudden Cardiac Death

SAN ANTONIO - Nearly one year after a San Antonio seventh grader went to bed and never woke up, his classmates and teammates at TMI Episcopal continue to find new ways to remember the former Middle School Cadet of the Year, recently unveiling a permanent reminder of him that's now prominently on display at the school's baseball field.

Jackson Mohr, 13, was found unresponsive in bed by his parents the morning of April 19, 2021. He was rushed to Methodist Children's Hospital and placed on life support after CPR brought his pulse back, but he never regained consciousness. Jackson passed away three days later, a victim of what doctors described as Sudden Cardiac Death, the result of an undetected heart abnormality.

The tragic passing left his family and school in shock and mourning. As far as they knew, Jackson was completely healthy.

"People ask me how I get up every day," Jackson's mother Erica Mohr said. "And it's because of my TMI community."

Late last month, the TMI community filled the stands at the school's baseball complex to celebrate Jackson and acknowledge the tremendous impact he had during his all-too-short life.

"Jackson was the embodiment of what we value at TMI," Head of School Father Scott Brown said. "Wisdom, integrity, service, excellence and reverence. He was kind. He was compassionate. He was humble. He was a leader."

A member of the Texas Military Institute Corp of Cadets, Jackson was awarded Middle School Cadet of the Year shortly before his passing.

"It really showed how much discipline and dedication he'd given to the Corps of Cadets," Father Brown added. "He was an all-around student-athlete who represented the things that we value."

Jackson was particularly passionate about baseball, a fact that TMI 10th grader Aidan Notzon decided to incorporate into his recent Eagle Scout project. "I don't know if I can put it into words how amazing of a cadet he was, how amazing of a baseball player and young man he was," Notzon said. "He was a stellar person. I loved him."

Notzon's project aimed to bring upgrades to the baseball field, benches and dugout, and last month's ceremony unveiled the finishing touch.

An oversized replica of a #22 TMI baseball jersey – Jackson's jersey number – now hangs on the dugout alongside a memorial plaque for all to see. "So, for everyone coming to TMI who didn't know him, we can explain who Jackson was through this," Notzon said.

The plaque, which features a smiling Jackson in his full military dress uniform, is inscribed with his favorite quote.

"His favorite quote was from Dr. Seuss," Father Brown explained. "It said, 'Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.'"

"When I talk about Jackson, there's something to share," his mom Erica said. "It's, 'Let's find joy.'"

Turns out, TMI had even more joy to share while completing the upgrades to the baseball complex. As Jackson's sister Bianca threw out the first pitch during the dedication ceremony, another reminder of her brother was not far away, buried underneath home plate. Jackson's cleats and his favorite baseball.

"They're buried there. Forever," Father Brown told the gathered students and families while standing over home plate. "So, every Panther that comes across this plate – that comes home – will high-five Jackson."

"While Jackson plays up in heaven," his mom added.

The Mohr family has spent the past year making sure no other family has to experience a similar loss, working with nonprofit AugustHeart to bring free heart screenings to more local teenagers. On April 22 of this year, the one-year anniversary of Jackson's passing, the Mohr's and AugustHeart will observe "Jackson Mohr Day" with a large push to get as many teens screened as possible.

"Some kids are afraid to fall asleep and not wake up like Jackson did," Mohr said. "But they don't have to, because we have an avenue to save lives."

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