Chicago radio host and former state representative John Anthony joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Dan Proft to discuss his deeply personal new book, Letters to John Boy: A Father’s Journey Through Grief, Faith, and Redemption. The emotional interview offered listeners a powerful window into the unimaginable pain of losing a child to suicide—and the strength, faith, and purpose that emerged in the aftermath.
In November 2021, Anthony’s only son, John Wesley Christian Anthony, died by suicide at age 19. As Anthony recounted on air, the night began like any other—his son had gone out to get food and returned home cheerful. But hours later, a loud noise in the house was followed by a knock at the door from police, leading to the devastating discovery of his son’s death.
The pain of that night still lingers for Anthony, who described reliving it during the interview. “It still feels like I’m there,” he told Proft, who also read and endorsed the book. “I screamed and I don’t remember what happened after that. I lost my boy.”
The book, which is structured as a series of letters to his late son and his five daughters, is as much a raw expression of grief as it is a guide for others coping with loss. In addition to letters, Anthony includes prayers, Scripture, and advice to parents about the warning signs he wishes he’d seen and addressed. “I held so much in,” he said. “And I’m not saying I hear God’s voice audibly, but I heard a whisper—‘write the book.’”
Anthony emphasized that his goal is to offer hope, especially to those on the edge. “I would give this book away for free if I could,” he said, sharing plans to distribute it in prisons through former NFL player and youth mentor Jack Brewer. “It’s not about the money. It’s about the message.”
The conversation also revealed the vibrant life his son led. A basketball fan with a love for laughter, John Boy was a friend of local high school legend Sergio McClain and a regular presence at University of Illinois sporting events. “He brought so much joy,” Anthony said. “He was the guy that made everyone’s life come to life.”
Despite the heaviness of the subject, Anthony’s message is ultimately one of perseverance and redemption. “I want my kids—and the rest of the world—to know that you can fall. Just get back up. Show back up. That’s what living this life is about.”
Letters to John Boy is available at BlackandRightRadio.com and on Amazon. Anthony also hosts Black and Right Radio on AM560 Saturdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Detroit’s Morning Answer on 92.7 FM weekdays from 6 to 8 a.m. CT. A second book, The Broken Leader, is set for release this fall.