Blake Matthew Youngquist

Blake Matthew Youngquist was born on January 30, 2001, at Washington Hospital in Fremont, California, and passed away on June 5, 2026, in Mission Viejo, California, at the age of 25.

Blake passed away after several years of courageously battling substance addiction. In his final months, he was wholeheartedly committed to rebuilding his life through recovery, faith, and service to others. He lived in a sober living home, attended daily classes and church gatherings, met regularly with his AA sponsor, and embraced the difficult work of recovery with determination. Those who shared that journey with him remember his kindness, his encouragement, and his remarkable ability to bring light into difficult moments. Several fellow residents credited Blake with making a meaningful difference in their own recovery, a testament to the impact he had on the lives around him.

To know Blake was to know someone who loved making people laugh. Known as Blakey Boy to his Grandma Peggy and Auntie Nanny, his quick wit, infectious smile, and perfectly timed sense of humor had a way of putting people at ease. Even in the sober living home, Blake could sense when tensions were rising. At just the right moment, he would offer a humorous comment that broke the tension with the other men. Bringing joy to others came naturally to him.

Family was at the center of Blake's life. His arrival meant three wild little brothers for Kyle. He was born on his cousin Madisyn's birthday, and the two proudly celebrated every year as "birthday cousins," a tradition that always brought him joy. Blake treasured family gatherings, especially pumpkin carving, building Christmas cookie houses, playing cards, air soft battles, and sharing games and laughter with his cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends. Some of his favorite childhood memories were made during family adventures and holidays spent together.

Grandma Kathleen recognized early on that Blake had an exceptional memory and a sharp mind. He was homeschooled through Fremont Christian School before continuing his education through Valley Christian Academy after the family moved to Auburn. Homeschooling gave the family the opportunity to enjoy countless educational field trips together that became treasured memories. At Valley Christian Academy, Blake played both baseball and football, competed in a Strongman competition, and later attended classes at Sierra College. More recently, he had been talking about pursuing training as an electrician and was looking towards his future.

From childhood, Blake loved adventure. He enjoyed dirt bike trips through the Nevada desert with family and friends. He once jumped out of a perfectly good airplane alongside his cousins Joel and Spencer while Kevin and Sheri watched from below—his dad enjoying the excitement and his mom faithfully worrying until all three landed safely. Blake also loved trips to the beach, amusement parks, golfing, and countless adventures at the Tilford family's Stillwater Ranch, where driving the golf cart years before he was old enough for a driver's license was a rite of passage he happily embraced.

Blake developed a love for baseball almost as soon as he could hold a glove and it quickly became one of his greatest passions. He was a devoted San Francisco Giants fan. He began playing little league as a young boy alongside his brothers Tanner and Zach, with Kevin often coaching their teams, and continued playing through his senior year at Valley Christian Academy. He also remained a loyal San Francisco 49ers fan.

One of Blake's greatest expressions of love was through cooking. As a preteen and teenager, he often prepared meals for the entire family simply because he enjoyed caring for others. His cooking skills flourished while working at a local winery with Tanner, and his family gladly became the beneficiaries of his growing talents. He especially loved cooking for his grandparents, Jerry and Peggy. Blake was also a good sport whenever Sheri convinced him to enter cooking competitions, and together they proudly brought home several trophies. His fellow residents at the sober living home were equally grateful for the delicious meals he prepared.

Blake had a strong work ethic and never hesitated to lend a hand. His first job was helping his dad with projects around the house and yard. Later, he supported the family’s vintage resale business by loading trucks and setting up events—although he never became a fan of the 2:00 a.m. wake-up calls. Over the years, he also worked for Wise Villa Winery, Spartan Roofing and a few golf courses.

During his time in Southern California, Blake found a special companion in Amanda. Over the course of their two years together, they encouraged and supported each other on their individual journeys of growth and healing. Amanda's love and support meant a great deal to Blake, and their time together brought him happiness, companionship, and hope.

Animals held a special place in Blake's heart. He grew up loving the family's Springer Spaniels, in particular Hawkeye, during their years in Newark, and later became especially attached to his Lab Rex, who came from a Tilford litter. During his time with Amanda, they welcomed a little dog named Jasper into their lives.

Faith was an important foundation throughout Blake's life. His formative years were spent at Newark Community Church. As he entered his teen years at Auburn Grace Community Church, he became active in the youth group, attended summer camps, and strengthened his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. In his final years, his faith continued to grow through the Christ-centered recovery programs he participated in and through his involvement at Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo. He found hope and purpose and sought to encourage others to do the same.

Blake is survived by and dearly missed by his loving parents, Kevin and Sheri Youngquist; his brothers Kyle (Alexis), Tanner (Sydney), and Zachary; his grandparents Jerry and Peggy; his Aunts and Uncles: Nancy (Jeff), Forrest (Laura), Amber (Seth), Gail, Vema, Linden (Pat); his cousins Jarrett (Emily), Madisyn (Alastair), Joel (Sofiya), Spencer (Adrianna), Wyatte (Savannah), Colbey, Gabriella (Brandon); Erik (Alison), Lindsay (Harrison), John (Courtney), and Michael (Evan); his beloved girlfriend, Amanda; and many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish the memories they shared with him.

Although Blake's life was far too short, it was rich with adventure, laughter, love, faith, and compassion. He will be remembered for his generous heart, his unmistakable sense of humor, his willingness to serve others, and the joy he brought wherever he went. His family finds comfort in knowing that, through faith in Jesus Christ, death is not the end of Blake's story. They look forward with hope to the day they will see him again.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." — Psalm 34:18

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation in memory of Blake.

Grace Community Park, a beautiful new park being built by Auburn Grace Community Church for the whole community. https://graceparkauburn.org/

Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo supports those in addiction recovery with their ministry “Restoration Recovery.” A donation there will help people on their journey. You may choose the “other” category and then type Restoration Recovery. https://missionhillschurch.com/giving/