Blake Anthony Theriot

Our precious and darling sixteen-year-old son, Blake, left this life on Wednesday evening, October 24th, 2007. No words can express the complete and utter devastation we feel. Blake was an extraordinary young man whose wit and impish ways brightened all of our lives, and the thought of going forth without him is unbearable. Blake came into this world at full speed at Seton Hospital on January 7th, 1991. From the very start, he brought joy, laughter, and an irrepressible spirit to his parents, Brad and Colleen Theriot, his older brother, Casey, and an entire block of wonderful neighbors and playmates on Gilbert St. in Tarrytown. In his early years, Blake attended Good Shepherd Preschool, Bryker Woods Elementary, and O. Henry Jr. High. He was on the gymnastics team for several years at Crenshaw Athletics, and he participated in soccer, T-ball, jiujitsu and lacrosse through WAYA and other organizations. Blake was presently a Junior at Austin High, where he was a proud member of the Stephen F. Austin High School Band. Blake found a home in band, and many steadfast friends whom he loved deeply and who nurtured him in turn. The band’s support and love has been a tremendous blessing for our family. Blake loved to move and move fast. From the days of racing on a tricycle to endless hours of motocross with his dad and brother, to snowboarding, wakeboarding and trapezing off the boat dock on the Pedernales River, Blake threw himself into living with gusto. He loved to laugh, and his laughter and twinkling smile were contagious. Blake was, quite simply, our heart. He was a very affectionate and loving son who could calm us instantly with a “Blakey hug”. He expressed his love freely and often. He was best friend and soul mate to his big brother, and ardent admirer of his Daddy. He was the life of the party, the hilarious cut-up who could throw out a zinger that doubled over everyone with laughter. Blake’s spontaneous joy and geniality drew people to him; he could turn even a boring school dance into fun. He had more friends than he realized, and meant more to them than he could recognize. But just as he loved and laughed harder than many, so, too, was he a soul who felt things more intensely than others, who worried about the world and his place in it, and who felt pain in his heart that he was unable to overcome. We did give Blake the very best life we could, and we do believe that Blake stayed with us, out of the truest and deepest love for his family and his friends, for as long as he could. Blake was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Larry and Hazel Richard of Lafayette, LA. He had a very close bond with them, and we pray that he is safe in their loving arms in the peace of God’s kingdom. Blake is survived by an extended family whose enormity shaped and blessed his life. Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Dr. Brad and Colleen Theriot, his brother, Casey, and his beloved paternal grandparents, Tony and Beverly Theriot of Sun City, TX. Blake had the very best aunts, uncles and cousins a kid could wish for, and profoundly loving relationships and special experiences with them all. Maternal family, Katy Richard and Chris Hinchliffe, and Kevin Richard of Alexandria, NH, Molly Richard and Patrick Richard of Lafayette, LA, Mary Kelley Richard and Dennis and Laura Richard of Austin, TX, Andy and Lidia Richard of Scottsdale, AZ, and Timothy Richard of Denver, CO. Paternal family, Karen and Ken Jeffries and Guy Theriot of Austin, TX, and Denise and Terry Brown of Mesquite, TX. Terrific and fun cousins, soul mate Zachary Hinchliffe and Aubre Richard of Alexandria, NH; Allison and Matthew Jeffries, Ben and Peter Richard, and Louise Richard of Austin, TX, Jordyn Brown of Mesquite, TX, Tristan and Colin Richard of Denver, CO, Edmund, Alfredo and J.R. Richard of Scottsdale, AZ and Courtney and Kyle Theriot of Olympia, WA. Also such a special presence in Blake’s lives were his great aunts and uncles, Joe and Sara Richard of Lawton, OK, Dookie and Hirsch Meyer of Baton Rouge, LA, Peggy Smith of St. Louis, MO, Helen Rawls of Bastrop, LA and Genny Ayo, Carrie Baudoin, Ruby Robin, Doris Broussard and Florence Broussard of Breaux Bridge, LA. On both sides of Blake’s family were, additionally, well over a hundred second and third cousins from all across the country, and too many loving and devoted friends to possibly list. We are deeply grateful to all of you for the unimaginable outpouring of love that is surrounding and sustaining us in our anguish. Viewing hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 29th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A religious service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30th in the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church. A celebration of Blake’s life will immediately follow at approximately 2:00 p.m. in the adjacent Fellowship Hall. There will be opportunity for participation for all of Blake’s friends, including a video presentation. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Austin High Band Parents Association, 1715 W. Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703. “For Everyone” - a note by Isaac Hill These are our darkest hours, confusion, shock, sadness it overpowers, our tears seem to come in showers, the pain just seems to last for hours, There are no words that can be said, it seems so hard to look ahead, and every minute we seem to dread, as we lie awake in bed, but when you actually look around, there is a light that can be found, the love of friends is so profound, and helps the pain to go down, every nightmare has its end, look for comfort in a friend, dedicate all the time you can spend, in finding a heart you can help mend, there is no doubt this is a crazy place, and there will be many challenges to face, but just find hope in a loving embrace, and all our darkness will be erased.