Blake David McDonald passed away unexpectedly on Friday February 9, 2024 at the age of 24. He will be deeply missed by friends and family.
Blake was born in Tucson, Arizona on September 13, 1999. He was the second of seven children. From a young age Blake loved to participate in sports. In Tucson, he played soccer and baseball. When Blake was six, his family moved to Salt Lake City, UT. Blake continued to love sports, adding new sports as often as he could. While living in Salt Lake City, Blake played baseball, soccer, basketball, football, and lacrosse. Blake also ran track for a city team and learned to ski, which became a favorite pastime. Once while skiing at Solitude, he and his brother Andrew were stranded on the lift for two hours when the resort lost power. He attended Indian Hills Elementary through fourth grade and Salt Lake Arts Academy for his fifth grade year. Blake was also a gifted musician. While living in Salt Lake City, Blake began piano and violin lessons. He was a gifted violinist and continued to play the violin until he completed all of the suzuki books.
When Blake was 11, his family moved from Salt Lake City to Orem, UT. In Orem, Blake attended Foothill Elementary, Canyon View Jr. High, Orem High, and Timpanogos High School from where he graduated in May 2018. In Orem, Blake continued to participate in sports. He continued playing soccer and lacrosse while slowly gravitating towards basketball and football. He played football in High School and continued playing city league basketball. Blake could talk for hours about sports. After High School, he loved participating in sports fantasy leagues and watching mixed martial arts.
Blake was always a good student. After moving to Orem, he tested into the Advanced Learning Lab (A.L.L.) gifted program at Foothill Elementary. While doing homework was not a focus for him, he excelled in Math, Psychology, and Spanish.
Blake's friends were of utmost importance to him. He had a tight-knit group of friends that started in Junior High and continued on after High School. Spending time with friends was a source of great joy for him. With friends, he loved to play video games, lift weights, participate in standard and extreme sports, go hunting, take boating trips to Lake Powell, perform practical jokes, and be in the mountains. He felt a kinship with his friends and they were like family to him. They were there for him during good and bad times.
Blake was a great artist. While he rarely talked about his drawing, he spent a lot of time refining his craft. Drawing brought peace and comfort to him. He loved anime and would watch it with his friends and family. He specialized in drawing anime characters.
Blake was a mild-mannered person. He did not like conflict or being burdened by a lot of rules. He would defend his younger siblings in their mischievous activities and supported them in their sports. Picking siblings up from school usually involved a trip to the drive through. Blake was a free spirit and a minimalist. He had a way with animals. Over the years, he cared for several cats and loved to watch them. His cats brought him lots of comfort and companionship. He also loved his dog Koki.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday February 17, 2024 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, located at 1950 E 10600 S in Sandy at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held Friday evening, February 16, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens. A short viewing will be held the day of service. from 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Interment will take place at the Orem City Cemetery.
Those wishing to view the COMPLETED service via Zoom can click on "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/hTrh8z-ODm-JTM2vCU5Axu4fls0Txs3D__9D95rZRockIyE9EZeac779Vq-zbGE8.bEnbH4Z5UuNo4u3g?startTime=1708191710000
Donations to help cover funeral expenses can be sent by Venmo to @utah-danmcdonald
No hay palabras de consuelo para una perdida tan grande como la de un hijo lo unico que puedo ofrecer mis oraciones para su familia que Dios les des consuelo y paz ahora tienes un angel que te cuida desde el Cielo
To Karina, Dan, and family, my deepest condolences. I was so saddened when hearing of Blake’s passing! I hope you are able to find peace in celebrating his life!
My deepest condolences to my amazing McDonald Family. Blake brought such a great light to his family. My heart is with everyone during this difficult time. I wish I could make it in person to the services. I will attend via zoom. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Our deepest condolences to the McDonald family. It was heartbreaking to hear of Blake’s passing. Our prayers are with you during this tough time.
To the Mcdonald family I give you my condolences and wish you guys the best. I am extremely grateful to have Blake as one of my best friends. He has helped me through the hardest times in my life. He was one of the best people I knew and he brought so much joy and happiness into everyone’s lives. I’m grateful that I was able to have him a part of my life.
McDonald Family, our hearts hurt for you. All of you have brought so much joy and happiness to other people. We love you, appreciate you, want you know that we care deeply for your family. Thank you for loving us.
Dan and Karina, we were absolutely heartbroken to hear about Blake’s passing. Our hearts and love go out to you and your family at this time. Our boys were good friends when they were young and you lived in Salt Lake. We have very fond memories of you and your whole family.
We were able to watch the funeral service today. It was so wonderful to hear all of the great stories about Blake and what a kind, selfless, and thoughtful man he had grown up to be, it’s obvious he was and is very loved. His life and all those who loved him and were touched by his friendship is a true tribute to you as parents and the wonderful man you raised in this world.
Sending our love, Shelley, Daren and family
Dearest McDonald Fam,
Celebrating Blake !!! Thank you for all that you shared today and the abundance of peace felt. .What a gift Blake’s life and love is and the ongoing ripple effect he continues to have upon us all. Several of our kids continue struggle with anxiety and depression.
.Blake’s magnetic energy ,his laughter, his gentle kind, powerful soul live on. His uncanny way of connecting , accepting everyone with kindness…. Jared,. even these many years later, feels a connection to Blake, unlike anyone else. . I loved every word shared … esp. hearing Blake’s violin genius ! We love Blake and we love your family. Praying for solace and hope. I know angels are truly among us and will continue to encircle and carry you all. Jared and I would love to catch up in the coming weeks or months … when it best suits you.
Kindly,
Jill Anderle & fam
Dan’s “Rest up, Blake… “ fills us with calm, knowing he does live on <3
Warmly,
Jill Anderle and fam.
I will try and be kinder because of Blake.
So very sorry for your loss. Praying for the family 🙏💔