David William Blake

David William Blake age 25, was born on February 1, 1993 in Dallas, Texas, and crossed over to life eternal on his beloved Kennesaw Mountain sometime between March 8 and October 22, 2018. We will be forever thankful to everyone who supported us as we worked to solve the mystery of David’s disappearance. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 29 at 7:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA, with visitation beginning at 5:30 pm. David lived in Kennesaw, GA, and graduated from Harrison High School. David played trombone in the Harrison and Clemson University marching bands. He was an active member of the youth group at First Presbyterian Church, and from his earliest days was open to the power and the presence of God. David was an avid outdoorsman, gamer, survivalist, reader, writer, helper, loving son, brother, and friend. As the youngest of three boys, his generosity, caring nature, brotherly horseplay, and practical jokes will truly be missed. David loved spending time with his family at Big Canoe, Kennesaw Mountain, and at the family farm in Indiana. He was a long term and valued employee of AquaRama Pools & Spas. According to them, “David was our employee, but he was so much more than that. David was a friend to everyone at AquaRama Pools. He was the office clown that loved to play a good joke on our general manager. David was the person who stood up for what was right and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. His response to any problem was ‘It's fine, it will be OK’. David was a man of his word, humble and giving, honest, and a man that believed in Christ. He loved his family, friends, and co-workers more than one could imagine.” David was a gifted writer with a passion for the fantasy genre. He had nearly completed the final book of his trilogy for publication at the time of his death and demonstrated his skill for suspenseful action and dry humor. His potential as a writer is a loss to every lover of a good story. As young teens, David’s close group of friends began calling themselves the GWWMOWs: Guys Who Watch Movies On Weekends. They are an amazing group of like-minded guys who boast in their creativity and camaraderie. From movie or gaming nights in basements to backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail, this special group of friends meant the world to David. David received treatment for depression ten years ago. Unbeknownst to his family and those closest to him, David continued to silently struggle with serious and persistent untreated depression. He tragically believed his depression to be never-ending and therefore refused to ask for help. This despair washed away his will to live like trying to swim against a rip-tide current. While the official cause of death has not been determined, we now believe this struggle ultimately led him to take his own life. His decision to end his life, a life full of so much promise, was completely unexpected and shocked everyone who knew him. David’s struggle is too common and yet rarely talked about. His family wishes to use his life and death to raise awareness and start a conversation about mental health in our community. There is hope and help is available. Ask. You are not alone. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, GA, for the David Blake Memorial Foundation. Donations will be used to help others struggling with thoughts of suicide, to assist individuals in mental health crisis, and contribute to the work of NAMI Cobb (the National Alliance on Mental Illness - Cobb County). He is survived by his parents, Neill and Bill Blake of Marietta, two brothers, Stuart Blake of San Francisco, CA, Richard Blake of Santa Fe, NM, and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Dr. Edward & Betsy Lee Holladay of Marietta, and his paternal grandparents, Richard & Bertha Blake of Laconia, IN. David, you are in our hearts always. We know exactly where you are and in whose presence you remain. We are waiting to greet you again on that glorious unknown day.

David William Blake

February 1, 1993 - October 22, 2018