Jackson William Soapes

Jackson William Soapes, forever in our hearts, forever young, went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2024.
Jackson was born on April 1, 2001, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in both Greenville, South Carolina, and Orlando, Florida.
He attended Annunciation Catholic Academy, St. Joseph's Catholic School (Greenville), and Trinity Preparatory School, where he was a four-year letterman in football and a team captain. He also played lacrosse and was on the weightlifting team.
During his sophomore year of high school, Jackson traveled to Cuba on a mission trip and took an educational trip to Japan in his junior year. Both experiences were profoundly impactful and held deep meaning in his life.
After high school, Jackson attended Furman University, where he was actively involved in campus life. He played on the Paladin football team, served on the University Orientation Staff, contributed to The Paladin newspaper, participated in the 24-hour Department of Art student design competition, and was a member of the Delta Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. During his semester abroad, he studied Journalism and Communications at the University of Barcelona and IES Abroad Barcelona. In May 2023, Jackson graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies, along with a minor in Film Studies.
Following his college graduation, Jackson worked full-time at Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming, before returning to Orlando in pursuit of a career in digital media.
Jackson's spirit was filled with compassion for others and a desire to make a difference in the world. He intensely loved music, attending concerts, art, design, and Muay Thai martial arts. Born on April Fools' Day, he was blessed with a great sense of humor, a generous heart, and an infectious smile.
Jackson is survived by his parents, John Soapes and Julia (Richie) Soapes; his best friend and brother, Jacob Soapes; his great-great aunt, Josephine Bonczek; his grandmother, Mary Richie; his "Mimi," Jan Soapes; his uncles, Gray Soapes, Thomas Richie, and John Richie; his aunts, Anne Richie, Susan Snyder, and Joan Richie; and his cousins, Chandler Soapes, Kandes Soapes, Christopher Snyder, Daniel Snyder, Andrew Snyder, Michael Richie, and Celia (Richie) Hammel. Jackson will also be remembered with love by his teachers, coaches, friends, and all those he met during his too-short but undeniably impactful life.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday January 4th at Annunciation Catholic Church • 1020 Montgomery Road • Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow the Mass.
In remembrance of Jackson, in lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be made to: https://www.namiwalks.org/participant/597484 https://www.greenvillehumane.com/donate/#give-online