After his death Mr. Mullin, a teacher from Jon-Erik's high school created a scholarship: "In Memory of their classmate, Jack(Jon-Erik) Hexum, the Tenafly High School Class of 1976 has established a memorial scholarship fund given each year to the high school graduating senior(s) who has(have)demonstrated theatrical and/or musical talent and involvement during high school and who intend to pursue a career in or hope to continue their involvement in the arts". This was his way of paying a final tribute to his friend and one time student.
Jon-Erik: I worry about not being a great actor. I'd hate to die young and never have made Grapes of Wrath. Life goes by so fast...I just don't want to miss out on anything.
Jon-Erik: In college my senior thesis was on the right and responsibility of self-destruction. It was long. It basically said that we're all here for no reason and life's just a mistake and we're just going to die and have kids and they're going to die, and all that is life will do the same thing. If you realize how futile it all is and meaningless, then you must seize the right, should you wish to do so, to destroy yourself.