Jacob Arilious Poe

If you consider yourself a baseball fan, the month of March cues the anticipation and excitement of a new baseball season where you can once again renew your love for the game. It seems fitting that during this happiest of seasons, we honor the life of Jake, who spent much of his time on earth loving, watching, and playing baseball. Jake’s life journey took him in a direction that nobody could have anticipated, but we are now honored to remember him with smiles, love, and pride in celebration of what a kind and gentle soul he was.

Jake Arillious Poe was born on February 11, 1993. He was a wonderful son, a sweet little brother who loved chocolate milk and Oreo cookies, playing lightening basketball, and skating in the backyard. Jake made many lifelong friends during his time in school at Our Lady of Peace and then later at Washburn High School. From a young age, playing sports is where Jake thrived and was happiest, always throwing a football or dribbling a basketball. Baseball, though, was his true love, and playing on the Merchants and the Expos not only provided him a way to show off his physical talents but also provided him a sense of normalcy in his life, which had become increasingly complicated in recent years.

Despite Jake’s always sweet and unassuming disposition, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia psychosis in 2020. Successful treatment for mental health disorders is challenging at best and Jake bravely endured hospital stays, many doctor visits, and medication changes during the years that followed. He continued to be a hard worker at his job with Fed Ex, a loving son, and brother, and always showed the energy and desire to beat what was trying to beat him. We are comforted in knowing that he truly knew how much he was deeply loved by his family and friends and we choose today and always to honor his beautiful life and memory in ways that he would appreciate and enjoy.

As the ones who are left behind to make sense of why a bright light like Jake had to leave us so soon, we perhaps should not look for an explanation for it, but rather what can we learn from the way he lived his life. Be kind to others. Tell your mom (Momma T) that you love her, work hard and do the activities that bring joy to your heart, eat more Oreos and fettuccine alfredo than recommended, and do not feel bad about it! Be humble. Be kind. Be sensitive. Jake was all of that and more and we will celebrate his memory, today and always, by remembering this sweet soul that will be ever present in our hearts and minds forever.

Mass of Christian Burial and a celebration of Jake's life will be Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 11AM ~ Church of Our Lady of Peace, 5426 12th Avenue South with visitation beginning at 10 AM. A reception will follow at Pizza Luce ~ 800 West 66th Street, Richfield, MN.

Gill Brothers 612-861-6088

www.gillbrothers.com