Jacob Edwin Kratzer

Jacob had the kind of smile that could make anyone’s day bright, and he exuded a contagious joy.  From the day he was born with that adorable face, full head of white blonde hair and big beautiful blue eyes, he was so content and so happy. Jacob was the kind of baby that you never wanted to put down and he loved to just be held. No matter what was wrong, it seemed that picking Jacob up and hugging him was all he ever needed.  He smiled with his whole entire face all the time. As he grew, it became clear that he was just as easy going and laid-back as his daddy who he loved so very much. Jacob loved all of his “people” as he called them, and he would often list their names, laughing and smiling in between calling out “Mommy and Daddy, Colin, Nana, Grampy, Uncle Damian, Aunt Sarah” and the list would go on.

He loved going to “Nana’s beach” just like his mommy. Anyone who knew Jake knew he loved to play basketball, and Mommy and Daddy were very proud of his already developing jump shot! He was a true climber, so agile and coordinated at only 2 years old. Jacob was so active, so kind, and so full of happiness. Jacob and his twin brother Colin were the light of our lives. It gave us immeasurable joy to watch Jacob and Colin grow and play together. We could not believe how lucky we were to have them.

On the night of March 23, 2013, Jacob and Colin went to sleep happy and smiling. Jacob never woke up. We later learned that our sweet sons death was an example of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC).  We will never get used to life without him. Jacob’s joy filled our hearts and our home so entirely and we will forever miss him with all of our hearts.