Jared Michael-Paul Popa, 36, of Traverse City passed away May 12, 2025.
Jared was born on December 11, 1988 in Traverse City, the son of Brenda Crandall and Randy Hains.
Jared attended Glen Lake Community Schools and graduated from Traverse City Central in 2007. He will be remembered as a kind, loyal, hardworking and vibrant man. Jared was always ready to roll up his sleeves, lend a hand, or take on something new. He took great pride in his work. He loved knowing he had made a difference, no matter how big or small, and it showed in everything he did. He had the most amazing sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. Jared loved laughter, it was his way of connecting, healing, and lifting the room. Truth be told, he could have been an incredible stand-up comedian. He didn't just tell jokes; he shared joy, often turning the joke on himself if it meant making someone else smile. His humor wasn't just funny, it was healing, humble, and full of heart. Music was also very important to him. He enjoyed the classics like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica.
Jared faced life's hardships with quiet courage. He will be remembered by the way he loved and lived, not by how his story ended. He had a way of making everyone he came in contact with feel seen and valued. He will be greatly missed by many, including his daughter, who was a beam of light in his darkness, and his grandpa Mike, who was his longest-standing best friend and loved him unconditionally through every season of his life.
Jared was preceded in death by his grandparents Vikki Hains and Chester and Mary Popa.
Jared is survived by his mother Brenda (Tom) Crandall; father Randy (Jennifer) Hains; daughter Olivia Rose Anderson; sister Hope Vittorelli; brothers Toren and Devon Hains; stepbrother Broc Crandall; grandpa Michael Hains; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who became family.
A memorial gathering will be held on June 7th from 3 – 5 pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. To share your memories and condolences with the family, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Cherryland Humane Society or Addiction Treatment Services.
If you are struggling with addiction, please know you are not alone, and there is help out there for you. Although Jared's death brings us great sorrow, we know that his addiction died with him, and that he is now flying free, forever.