On the second anniversary of his beloved wife Jonessa “Jones” Comer’s passing, Max Comer, widely known for his social media platform “Airplane Facts With Max,” has opened up about the depth of his grief, the journey of parenting without his partner, and the ways in which he has found solace in his passion for aviation and storytelling. Jonessa Comer, who passed away in September 2022, was a devoted mother, wife, and cherished presence in the lives of her family and friends. Her untimely death left Max to navigate the complexities of raising their two young sons, Finnegan and McCoy, while carrying the weight of a love that was suddenly and heartbreakingly cut short.
Through a heartfelt post on his Instagram account, Max shared an emotional tribute to his wife, detailing both the heartbreak and healing he has experienced since her passing. He began by answering a question often posed by his followers: Why does he have GPS coordinates tattooed on his arm? “They mark the first drop in an endless stream of goodbyes,” Max explained, before recounting the deeply personal story of his journey to fulfill one of Jones’s unfulfilled dreams—seeing the Irish Sea.
In January 2023, just months after her passing, Max traveled to Ireland with some of Jones’s ashes. He ventured to Howth, a picturesque coastal village near Dublin, and walked along its cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea. Standing there, surrounded by the beauty she had long dreamed of experiencing, Max released a portion of her ashes into the waves, marking what he described as the first real goodbye. The GPS coordinates of that poignant moment are now permanently inked on his forearm, a reminder of both the love they shared and the ongoing process of letting go. “It felt like the first real goodbye,” he wrote, “though I have learned that a goodbye never really ends.”
Max’s tribute also offered a rare glimpse into the personal challenges he has faced since Jones’s death, particularly as a single father raising two young boys. At the time of her passing, their youngest son, McCoy, had just turned four and was still mastering basic milestones like spelling his name, while their oldest, Finnegan, had recently started third grade and was learning multiplication. Jones had been a constant presence in their lives, marking their heights on the kitchen doorframe each year—a tradition Max has continued, though he painfully noted that one year the handwriting changed from hers to his.
“The space in between those lines is filled with memories she didn’t get to see,” Max reflected. “Some good, some bad. In between those lines our town was hit with a tornado. They’re filled with milestones of kindergarten graduation and starting the final year of elementary school. They’re full of firsts that I never wanted to experience without her in any way—endings and beginnings. But everything that happened in between, I find myself wishing I could tell her about.” His words poignantly capture the ongoing struggle of living a life filled with moments that Jones is no longer there to witness, a constant reminder of the void her absence has left behind.
Max candidly admitted that the overwhelming grief he felt after Jones’s death led him to turn to familiar sources of comfort, particularly the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and the richly imagined world of Middle-Earth. A lifelong fan of Tolkien’s writings, Max found solace in the themes of resilience, courage, and hope that permeate the author’s stories. “After she died, I did what I always do when life gets hard, and I dove into Tolkien and Middle-Earth,” he shared. This escape eventually inspired him to merge his love of aviation with his fascination with Tolkien, leading to the creation of his now-popular social media platform, “Airplane Facts With Max.”
Through short, engaging videos, Max shares intriguing facts about airplanes, aviation history, and the science of flight, often weaving in subtle nods to his personal journey. What began as a creative outlet to cope with his grief has since grown into a thriving online community, providing Max with a sense of purpose and connection during one of the most challenging periods of his life. “Instagram isn’t real life,” he reminded his followers. “My days are just work, cook, clean, homework, bedtimes, and routine. People told me grief never goes away, but you learn how to carry it. Honestly, this page and making these videos helped me learn how to carry it and gave me something fun to look forward to making, back when I felt like I had died, too.”
Max’s reflections on grief and resilience have resonated deeply with his audience, many of whom have reached out to share their own stories of loss and healing. His openness about the realities of single parenting and the enduring ache of missing his wife has provided comfort and validation to others navigating similar experiences. Despite the heaviness of his loss, Max has found moments of joy and purpose in his role as a father, watching his sons grow and thrive in ways that Jones would have undoubtedly celebrated.
Jones Comer’s legacy lives on not only in the hearts of her family but also in the lives she touched during her time on earth. Described by those who knew her as a compassionate, intelligent, and loving woman, Jones was a devoted mother who cherished her children and a supportive partner who shared Max’s enthusiasm for aviation and adventure. Her memory continues to inspire those who knew her, as well as the broader community that has come to know her through Max’s stories and tributes.
As the two-year anniversary of Jones’s passing approaches, Max and his sons are preparing to honor her memory in their own way. They plan to visit a special location that holds significance for their family, continuing the tradition of finding ways to keep her spirit alive in their lives. For Max, the act of remembering Jones is not about dwelling on the pain of her loss but about celebrating the love and life they shared.
The story of Max and Jones Comer is one of profound love, devastating loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through his platform, Max has turned his grief into a source of inspiration and connection, reminding others that even in the face of unimaginable pain, it is possible to find light and meaning. As he wrote in his heartfelt tribute, “A goodbye never really ends. But neither does love.”
In sharing his journey, Max has created a space where others can feel seen and supported, transforming his personal tragedy into a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of cherishing every moment with the ones we love. Jones Comer may no longer be physically present, but her influence and legacy continue to shine brightly through the lives of her family and the community that has rallied around them. The memory of her love and the lessons of her life will endure, a beacon of hope for those who, like Max, find themselves navigating the uncharted waters of loss and healing.
