Jacob Matthew Thompson

Type of Donation:          organs and tissue

Age and Location:          Age 21 – Denver, CO

Donation Date:             3/04/2009

Sponsor:                   Honored by Donor Alliance

JACOB’S STORY

Jacob Matthew Thompson had a smile that would light up the universe. His remarkable sense of humor made it nearly impossible to be sad in his presence. He grew up in Denver with his three siblings, including a twin sister. Jake often enjoyed reminding her that he was older, but he always let her open her birthday presents first.

Jake lived his life to the fullest. He loved the Colorado mountains and was obsessed with snowboarding. Second only to snowboarding, was his love of fancy cars. His Audi TT was his pride and joy. He always enjoyed having fun but also never wavered on his passion for helping others. Jake never met a stranger. If someone needed the shirt off his back, he would give it to them. And he often did. That was Jake, lending a hand any way he could. He always found great joy in being able to make someone's day even just a little better.

Jake was 21 years old when he passed away in a tragic accident. For 30 hours, his family and friends prayed for a miracle, but it was to be that Jake would be the miracle.

His family had friends who had received the gift of life, so there were regular conversations about donation and transplantation in their house. Jake often said, "Well, when I am gone, my organs will be of no use to me. Someone should get some good use out of them!"

His family did not know how much those conversations would later impact their lives.

Since Jake and his family had so many conversations about donation, they knew exactly what he would have wanted. Knowing who Jake was and how he lived his life, being a donor just felt right to them. Jake's final act of kindness and unconditional love was giving the gift of life to four others. He also continues to provide miracles for his family, amongst them Jake's twin sister.

Jake is remembered by his family and friends as a humble and inspirational young man who continues to provide miracles. Amongst those miracles are his nephews, Jace and Kyden, who were born out of his twin sister Kathleen's eventual marriage to one of Jake's longtime friends, after reuniting during this tragedy, as well as nieces Faith and Whitley and nephew Branson who all carry Jake's legacy. They, along with his sisters and the entire Thompson family, are all extremely excited to take Jake's floragraph to be a part of this event.