Jake Smith, Suicide by Cancer

Jake killed himself. He set it up perfectly. He took care of every detail. He took his brother out to eat the night before.
He cuddled up with his mom, my friend Lori. He pet his doggie Brody, had a picture taken with him.
He entered his bedroom and shot himself.
 Jacob J. Andrew Smith

Funeral Service
Friday, Feb 19, 2016
1:00 PM

Jacob J. Andrew Smith
Born: May 06, 1998
Died: February 13, 2016

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Jacob “Jake” J. Andrew Smith, age 17, of Charlotte, formerly of Ithaca passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016. Jake was born May 6, 1998 in Alma the son of Bradley and Lori (Brecht) Smith. He attended Ithaca Schools until 2012 when they moved to Charlotte. While in Ithaca he enjoyed playing basketball and football. Jake was currently a junior at Grand Ledge High School.

Jake enjoyed playing his guitar and video games. He had a passion for supporting his cancer families that were challenged with childhood diagnosis.

Jake is survived by his parents, Bradley and Lori Smith of Charlotte, his brother, Joshua Smith of Charlotte, his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Sharon Brecht of Riverdale, his paternal grandparents, Clayton and Patricia Smith of Dewitt, his aunts and uncles, Jodi (Ross) Jeffrey of Webberville, Gregory (Melisa) Smith of Flushing, Mark (Terri) Brecht of Riverdale, Jeff (Sheri) Brecht of Elwell and many loving cousins.

A celebration of Jacob’s life will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 1 pm at the First Church of God in Alma with Pastor Steve Wimmer officiating. Interment will follow in Sumner Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 12 pm until the time of services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleural Pulmonary Blastoma Research, 111 Michigan Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20010 or at www.ppbgeneticstudy.org.

To view Jake’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuenralhomes.com

SERVICES
Funeral Service
Friday, February 19, 2016
1:00 PM

First Church of God
200 W. Superior
Alma, Michigan 48801

The aftermath as in any unexpected death is worse when it is suicide. The "why's"  take over, the How could I have knowns, what could I have done differently will haunt a family until the end of their days.
Jakes funeral brought together a group of people who had at one time been very close through small groups that met weekly. Lori and I bonded over a statement that I drank alcohol in a predominantly Baptist non-drinking environment. 
Even writing this years later (It is 2020 now) I remember you.
I remember how you were in the very same emergency room as my daughter Joy Linn. Both of you had what we thought was pneumonia, but yours was much worse. The cancer had invaded the lining of your lung. The years of treatment took it out of you. Your parents fought for your life.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

• suicidepreventionlifeline.org