POCATELLO — Mike Mojarro, a local father and co-owner of Pocatello Jiu Jitsu, recently died by suicide, and a GoFundMe campaign has been started to support his family.

The former California Department of Corrections worker moved to Pocatello with his family in 2021 after medically retiring. In 2022, Mike and his wife took over Pocatello Jiu Jitsu. The family had a profound impact supporting and instructing many children in the community, including their own three kids.

To help during this difficult time, Mike’s former California Department of Corrections coworker Ben Martin started a GoFundMe asking the community to help the family cover funeral expenses.

“When I learned of his unfortunate suicide, it hit hard knowing that his wife is alone with her three kids, having my own wife and three kids, and I felt like I needed to fill that void and take responsibility,” Martin said. “This one definitely hit more at home, because not only was he a good friend, but probably one of my best friends.”

Martin has been in daily communication with the Mojarro family since Mike’s death, helping organize the GoFundMe, assist in planning the celebration of life and providing food for the event to help alleviate costs.

Locally, he hopes the Jiu Jitsu community can step up and help the family in whatever way it can.

“Mike was a good man,” Martin said. “He was one of those guys that would bend over backwards for you. His death hurt, and it hurt a lot of people for him to not speak of the mental health struggles that he was going through. I think one of the biggest factors is when men don’t talk about their feelings. I wish Mike would have just called, and I wish more people would step up and ask for help.”

Martin said he knows the Mojarro family does a lot for the local community, and many people have reached out not only on the GoFundMe but on social media, sharing fond memories of Mike, his family and the Jiu Jitsu facility.

“To see the impact that they’ve had closely in their neighborhood and their community is huge,” Martin said. “I just hope that people are willing to help and fill that little need for this family, who are going to be struggling for the little bit that’s shortly to come.”

Organizers are asking for support through donations, raising awareness or keeping the family in thoughts and prayers.

“Mike Mojarro was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation,” Martin said via GoFundMe. “He was always there to help others whenever he could, and his passion for Jiu Jitsu was something he shared generously with everyone around him. More than anything, Mike loved his family. They were his world, and he would do anything for them.”

Martin continued, “Tragically, due to the battles he was facing within, we lost him far too soon. Now it’s our turn to come together. We ask our community to stand strong and support a family that has lost a devoted husband and father — and a Jiu Jitsu community that has lost a respected professor, mentor, and friend. Let’s honor Mike by showing the same generosity and strength that he showed to all of us.”

Those interested in supporting the Mojarro family can donate at gofundme.com/f/support-for-mike-mojarros-family.

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

The South East Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center in Pocatello can be reached by calling 208-909-5177 and the Portneuf Medical Center Behavioral Health Services in Pocatello can be reached at 208-239-2571.

Online Resources include Community Suicide Prevention and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, or SAVE.