Jaden Blake Obituary, Death – Jaden Sebastian Blake, commonly known as King Jay, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 19, 2002 to Yvonne Blake and Justin Blake. He was their first child, and his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and godparents all adored him. Jay, who had always been a step ahead of his friends, skipped crawling and was running by the age of ten months. JB had their complete focus till he arrived in February 2004. Jay grew up to be a big brother, guardian, and instructor. He adored his little brother and soon picked up on everything! With a slew of friends and activities, Jay and JB (his person) were inseparable. After his family moved to Chicago when Jaden was two years old, he named it his home.
Jaden was part of the STEM Magnet Academy’s first graduating class, where he excelled in basketball, theater, and science (he always completed first, leaving plenty of time for mischief). He went to DeLaSalle High School and was a student ambassador as well as an honor student. Jay competed in track and field as well as football, eventually becoming track team captain. He began pole vaulting at DeLaSalle and scored the school’s first points. Throughout the conference, he served as co-captain of the football team. He attended Grand Valley State University on an academic and athletic scholarship and won a track and field division II championship ring his first year.
While growing up in Walaika, he was a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ Junior Drill Team. Jay and JB spent their summers and vacations in Barbados with his uncle (Goppie), grandfather (Pop Pop), and cousins, where he excelled in swimming and eventually became a Chicago lifeguard. Jaden, who is always up for a good time, can light up a room just by walking in. Jaden, the self-proclaimed King, was confident in his abilities and had the work ethic and devotion to back it up. He was never sluggish and was always prepared to assist others. He was a triathlete who participated in two triathlons with his bonus father Milton and one with JB! He spent hours at the rink improving his skating skills as an avid roller skater.
King was a natural leader with a servant’s heart. As a member of THE Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Jaden demonstrated his leadership by being selected Outstanding Senior and receiving National Recognition for his and JB’s work on the Chicago Children’s March in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. King was committed to community service, which included blood donation. He was astounded by how many people could benefit from a single donation, and he enjoyed the refreshments! King died on November 13th, accompanied by his family, following a gallant battle from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident the week before.
Despite finishing his degree faster than any of us could have anticipated, Jay taught us significant lessons about friendship and giving without saying a single word. King Jay, who signed up to be an organ donor on his own initiative, contributed to raising awareness of the need for organ donation while also preserving and prolonging the lives of four people, two of whom were from our community. His mother, Yvonne (Milton), father, Justin (Tanya), brother, JB, god sister Jamila, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents, and a vast number of extended family and friends survive King. The family has asked that donations be given to: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jadenblake in place of flowers.