Bikers Against Child Abuse founder leaves legacy of helping vulnerable children | News, sports, jobs

John Paul Lilly, also known as “JP” and “Chief,” founder of Bikers Against Child Abuse and respected child play therapist, died suddenly on June 20, leaving behind a legacy of helping those most vulnerable: children.

An unexpected medical emergency has left his family, BACA International, past and present patients, fellow motorcyclists, Pleasant Grove neighbors and friends all missing him and his many accomplishments.

“I met Chief many years ago after learning about the organization he founded, Bikers Against Child Abuse, and we became friends and brothers. An incredible husband, father, and loyal friend to many. A truly gifted play therapist who made it her life’s mission to help and heal children who have experienced abuse and hurt. Chief, you have touched the lives of thousands of people, and through your work, your legacy will live on in the people you have helped, their children, and for generations to come,” the “Chief” Lilly Memorial Facebook post reads.

“This one hits hard. JP was my first therapist when my children disclosed abuse from my neighbor. He quickly became my friend and brother,” we read in another.

“He wanted to start Bikers Against Child Abuse because as a therapist, he saw kids start to heal in therapy sessions with him, but they really regressed when they were in their regular environment and sometimes exposed to the person who had abused them,” said Lisa Lilly, JP’s wife. “So he wanted to have strong, caring people around the child to provide extra support when they weren’t in his office. He also wanted to have support people in the courtroom who could go to court with the kids because sometimes their family members were witnesses and couldn’t speak on their behalf.”

Because of his commitment to helping children, he founded BACA in Utah in 1995. The organization now operates worldwide. “We exist as a group of bikers to empower children to not be afraid of the world they live in. We are working with local and state officials who are already on the ground to protect children. We stand ready to protect these children from further abuse,” BACA’s website, bacaworld.org, reads in part.

Lisa Lilly said her husband adopted the pseudonym “Chief” when he founded BACA. “I think it’s a combination of representing his Native American heritage and being the founder and leader of BACA,” she said.

JP Lilly has also helped many children as a licensed clinical social worker and play therapist in Provo. He taught play therapy at Brigham Young University for 18 years and is considered an expert in Jungian analytic therapy.

“I started seeing JP when I was 17. Convinced I was beyond repair. Convinced it was only a matter of time before I took my own life. He saved my life. How many of us have repeated those same words? What a profound impact one man had on so many, that so many could say those words and they were completely true. He was my therapist, my life raft for 16 years. He never once gave up on me. He never let me give up,” reads a post on his memorial page from a former patient.

“He was very passionate about helping children. In terms of career choice, that’s where he went,” Lisa Lilly said. “It was amazing, once BACA really took off, to find out how many BACA members had also experienced childhood abuse and just wanted to help other kids get through it.”

JP and Lisa Lilly are the parents of seven children. In addition to his work with children, he was very involved in his neighborhood and church community. Funeral services will be held July 6 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1176 N. 730 East, Pleasant Grove. Viewing will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Friends set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding account to help the family cover unexpected funeral expenses and cope with the change in economic circumstances as JP Lilly was the family’s primary breadwinner.

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