James Steven Blaylock

James Steven Blaylock was born on August 3, 1982 in Provo, Utah. He passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026 in Evanston, Illinois. At 44 years young, James left this world doing what he loved, being in nature, at the beach. He will always be with us in our hearts.

James was also known by his nickname “Chewie”. Even from an early age, he was always an adventurous and curious soul. He was very funny, always the life of the party. He always made many friends everywhere he traveled in this life.

James marched to the beat of his own drum. He was a free soul who treasured his freedom to think for himself and see the world in his own way. He was independent-minded, genuine, and always stayed true to himself, with a heart that held an enormous capacity for love. He never quit, always kept working, kept moving forward, often pushing himself toward things that people might never have imagined possible. He always persevered, even through the hardest of times. When faced with forces larger than himself, he found a way to keep going, to prevail, and prove to himself what he was capable of. His strength was not simply in what he accomplished, but in his refusal to surrender to the limits others might have placed on him. Through the winding roads of this life, he continued to challenge himself, explore what was possible, make new friends along the way, and take on each new adventure with determination and courage.

James enjoyed many hobbies and passions, starting as a youth. He found joy in many things, whether it was playing with ninja turtles, passing the next level in a video game, hiking, swimming, skateboarding, or just laughing with friends. He always stayed busy. He ran two full 26.2 mile marathons. He had a passion for fitness, running, working out, lifting weights, and helping others with personal fitness training and nutrition. He was an amazing self taught guitarist and pianist, with a broad appreciation for many types of music.

James moved from Salt Lake City, Utah to Oregon in his twenties. He was always a hard worker and supported himself through diverse jobs. He worked in the restaurant business. He worked as a care taker for the disabled. He was certified in Information Technology. He earned a college degree, which opened the door for him to start a career at the Intel Company in the Portland, Oregon area.

Full of humor, passion, drive, and an unmistakable spirit of his own, the way James navigated his life will forever be admired and appreciated by those who knew him. He lived with a determination to be free, to keep growing, and to learn more every day. Every adventure was an opportunity to discover something new about the world and about himself. His presence, his laughter, his friendship, and his extraordinary spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, September 11, 2026, at The South Jordan Cemetary, located at 10630 S 1055 W, South Jordan, UT 84095.