Jacob Anthony Altona

Jacob Anthony Altona was born in Bellingham, Washington, on November 26, 1991, to his proud and hopeful parents. From the very beginning, Jacob was bright, curious, and full of life-a baby with a sparkle in his eye and a boundless imagination.
He spent his childhood moving from Army base to Army base, from North Carolina to Washington, collecting memories-and a bit of mischief-along the way. Jacob was the kind of kid who could build an impossibly complex K'Nex set without breaking a sweat, leaving his parents scratching their heads in wonder. A born prankster, he loved outwitting his sister, Amy, and teasing his younger brother, Zachary-but always with a grin that made it hard to stay mad for long.
He adored the family dogs-Katie, Elmo, Ranger, Beth, Brynn, Bliss, and Bea-and the family cat, Charlie O'Chicken the 3rd, who proudly identified as a dog. He loved helping out on the family sheep farm and had a deep affection for trains, drawing, writing, and books of every kind.
He had a natural talent for athletics and enjoyed swimming and skiing with his father throughout his youth. He shared many hiking and camping adventures with his dad and brother, creating memories that lasted a lifetime. Jacob was a gifted wrestler, placing fourth in the state his freshman year and loved playing Football for Orting High School.
Jacob had dreams as big as the sky. He wanted to fly jets, become an astronaut, and attend the Air Force Academy. He had the brains to back it up, too-at one point even receiving a state award from the governor for earning the top creative writing score in Washington. He was truly gifted, with a mind that soared ahead of his years.
But in his teenage years, Jacob's life began to change. Schizophrenia crept in and began to steal the vibrant, brilliant young man he had been. It was a slow heartbreak-the kind that never really ends. Like so many, Jacob struggled to navigate a world not built to support those with severe mental illness and their families. He fought hard, but eventually the systems meant to protect him-both mental health and justice-ultimately failed him. Jacob experienced periods of homelessness, isolation, and despair. Still, he carried within him the soul of the little boy who had once dreamed of the stars.
Jacob died far too young at the age of 33, on April 8, 2025. He leaves behind many who loved him deeply and will carry his memory forever: his mother, Carolynn Bernard; his father, Anthony Altona; his sister, Amy Davies; his brother, Zachary Altona; his grandparents, Paul and Joyce Bernard; and his beloved children-Timothy, Joanna, Azalea, Aaron and Tatiana -whom he so selflessly entrusted into the loving arms of their adoptive families. In doing so, he enabled our family to grow and embrace these children and their amazing parents.
Our hearts are broken not only by the loss of Jacob, but by the loss of hope-the hope that one day he might return to us, healthy and whole. We grieve the brilliant child we knew and the man he could have become.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider supporting mental health advocacy or programs that serve the unhoused with compassion and dignity. Let Jacob's story remind us all to hold space for those living with invisible battles-and to never stop fighting for a world where they are seen, heard, and helped.