Jacob Lee Burton

Jacob was born on March 28, 2007 in Kelowna, into the love of his parents, Magda and Chris, and his extended family. He was adored and looked after by his Polish grandparents (Babcia and Dziadek) after mom returned to work, who made sure he was best fed, rested, and entertained. Over the years his grandpa taught him to swim, ski, and swing a hammer while grandma made him his favourite foods, read books and took him to parks and kids’ groups. His grandparents remained a constant source of love and support throughout his life. Jacob grew up in the company of his two older cousins, Seth and Logan, who he loved and idolized, and who he always challenged himself to keep up with, whether he was on a bicycle, skis, or a dirt bike. When he was just shy of three his little sister, Sophia (who he named), came along, first to his delight and then to his annoyance, but as they grew older so did their love for each other and their unfailing bond. The two became tight as thieves, each one being protective of the other. Jacob spent many blissful days with his sister and cousins camping, boating, riding, and skiing, and he always had his Uncle Mike to help him buy ski gear and bikes, to coach and push him on the hill and the trails, to wrench on his beloved Kawi KX 250 and his truck, and to supply the boat and gas.

Jacob was a joyful, energetic, bright and feisty child. There was rarely a dull moment for his parents, for better and worse! From a young age Jacob tackled many things with an intense discipline and focus, from mastering a Rubik’s cube to chess to perfecting his airsoft gun accuracy (ask the neighbours!), to building booby traps around the house. He was naturally athletic, and as a result spent his childhood doing a multitude of sports and activities. He also had an enormous appetite from the day he was born (mom would say it was that F1 metabolism) and many hilarious stories were borne out of Jacob’s bottomless stomach. He was often laughing and being silly and had boundless excitement for life and for friends. Jacob loved his dogs, cats and even pet snake, Mr. Snuggles. Middle school saw him spending a fair amount of time in the detention room, to the utter frustration of his mother, all the while getting excellent grades. His motto: “have fun!”.

High school proved more challenging for Jacob, but he continued to enjoy working out, skiing, dirt biking, kick boxing at Toshido, as well as hiking and good conversations with a few close friends. He particularly enjoyed getting to know and form friendships with the foreign exchange students. Jacob also turned to spirituality and meditation during his high school years and believed that they got him out of a rut. The highlights of his teen years were getting his own dirtbike and riding with Uncle Mike and his Kelowna cousins, visiting his Vancouver Island cousins and getting to shoot with them and his Uncle Steve, annual trips to Calgary to visit family, trips to Vegas, Southern California, Hawaii and Disneyland, annual trips to Nelson, watching the Oilers defeat the Kings in L.A., days spent camping and boating, and getting his little gold Mazda truck (the “golden chariot”). He also enjoyed his job at the Brick and the people who worked there. Jacob graduated from high school in the Spring of this year, and this Fall he had started a Bachelor of Business Administration program at Okanagan College. As he entered adulthood, Jacob lit up his mom’s home and heart with his enthusiasm, kindness and love.

Jacob had an entrepreneurial spirit, had started a couple of small businesses, and put a lot of energy into producing his Mind Mastery site. He would go to business seminars and conferences and was driven to succeed. Jacob was also very health oriented, fit and strong, crediting his dad for planting the seeds of a love for fitness and the importance of having a healthy and capable body. It is no surprise that he was named, in part (at dad’s insistence), after Bruce Lee – who had a passionate pursuit of excellence physically, mentally and spiritually. Jacob also loved to dance and sing around the house, learn Polish to chat with his grandma and prepare for a whirlwind trip to Europe, and was wonderful with young kids. He had big dreams of financial success, travel and a family, and seemed well on his way to accomplish and enjoy these things one day.

Jacob was loved, enjoyed and looked after by many, including his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins on the Burton side, close family friends, his dad’s partner, Chelsey, and her kids Hunter and Charlie who idolized Jacob and loved adventuring with him, friends throughout the years, as well as a few good current buddies who embraced him, although did not at the time understand his struggles. Jacob tried so very hard to overcome these struggles, but could not defeat them in the end.

Jacob’s passing on November 24th has left a devastating hole in the lives and hearts of his family and friends. It is impossible for us, his mom, dad and sister, to accept that we will not get to witness our beautiful, bright boy experience life and be able to participate in it with him. He mattered so much, and matters still.

Soar free, baby. We will forever love, cherish and miss you.

Please no flowers or gifts. If you had a relationship with Jacob, simply think of your favourite memories of him, or the impact he had on you, and if you choose to you can share them here or at his celebration of life (for his family and close friends), which will be held in the new year. If you’d like to join us in celebrating him, please let us know.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services (Dignity Memorial) Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299