Jacob & Mallory L.

I was fortunate to meet Jake in fall 2016 through my local church’s weekly community group, which was mostly young people in or recently out of college. Jake was always bright and kind, a really good listener and sharer who cared about other people deeply and wanted to know their passions. This was noticeable from the beginning. His energy was very genuine and pleasant, even though he commuted a long way at night after work to come to the group. After a while, he ended up not being able to attend anymore because he had a schedule conflict. The group was at the same time as Arabic night classes. Jake wanted to improve his work with his Arabic speaking clients at World relief. This was admirable to me, although we missed him a lot. 

I saw Jake next at an advent dinner or two that he hosted and again was struck with his authenticity. I remember him smiling behind a big pot of soup, and around the fire, making sure effortlessly that everybody felt welcome and had what they needed. In the strange social landscape of young Christians looking for community/identity/ love there were at times tensions among individuals and subgroups of friends but Jake was a butterfly who floated effortlessly among everyone, showing kindness and openness to all. 

Fast forward a few years and my context of Jake was through observing the creation and growth of Howdy Bagel, viewed with a smile from afar through social media, and by sporting a pink Howdy shirt down in Oakland, as I was no longer living in Washington state. There was a lot of crossover between mutual friends, many from SPU, over the years with celebrations and milestones, trips and bike rides, seasons and holidays but Jake and I didn’t see one another again until summer 2023. 

In July, a close friend from college had Howdy cater one of her wedding related celebrations. I stayed in Tacoma with another SPU friend before and after the wedding, who happened to live blocks away from Jake and Daniel’s house on Verde- small world (Following their renovations was also super fun from afar- such talent and commitment to beauty, and Jake seemed so radiantly happy). After the festivities, I offered to drop off the Howdy catering equipment back to the Howdy storefront in person, since I was staying so close by. 

Upon dropping the equipment off with another lovely SPU friend who received us but a genuine as ever, smiling, tired from a long day’s work but still present, Jake, and his love Daniel. The two of them intentionally took the time to stop what they were doing (closing up for the day), check in and say hey, and express gratitude for the simple favor we had done. Hugging Jake felt like no time had passed. He effortlessly insisted on giving us a bag of Howdy coffee beans, some Howdy stickers, and cracked us a cold beverage of our choice. Southern hospitality in real time with not a hint of unease or obligation… we parted ways and I said to him let me know if you and Daniel are ever in Oakland, we’d love to see you. 

If more individuals were this way, community would be more sustained, and the world would be more peaceful. At the news of his death, my partner (who also knew Jake from the small group), and I were shocked and horrified, because of the circumstances and also because Jake was the definition of a bright light. Joy, and generosity and genuine love. 

I feel deep gratitude for having known him the short time I did, and to get to read and celebrate what he meant to many others. 

Bless you Jake, Daniel, Howdy, the house on Verde, and all that knew and loved Jake. His legacy will live on. 

Here is the pic of some of us from Quest Ballard c-group.