Jacob Christian Pella

Jacob Christian Pella

February 2, 1974-August 25, 2025

Jacob Christian Pella was born on February 2, 1974, in Logan, Utah. He was welcomed into this world by his parents, Chris and Rita Pella.

He grew up with two siblings: an older brother, J. Brian Pella, and a younger sister, Nicole Pella. He looked up to his brother, and they shared a great love of sports, especially football. Even though he loved to tease his sister, the two of them shared a bond through their love of animals and the outdoors. Jake also gained another brother, Brent Thompson, while in high school. The two of them developed an indescribable bond of brotherhood as they would fish, hunt, and play sports together.

Jake loved to play football and attend football camps at Utah State with his father and football coach, Chris Pella. He was often called “Pella Boy” or “Little Coach P” as the waterboy and team manager at practice. The players all adored him, and he went on to play football throughout his youth in Cache Valley and into high school at Mountain View in Orem. Jake was chosen to represent the USA at the DownUnder Bowl in Australia during his junior year, and he served as team captain his senior year. From a young age, Jake also developed a passion for the outdoors, spending countless hours at the family cabin in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. He loved skiing, fishing, hunting, and riding horses at his grandpa’s farm, where he also deepened his love of animals.

When Jake was 14 years old, he met Lisa Burgener. They married after graduating from Mountain View High School in 1992 and later divorced in 2016. Together, they are the parents of three beautiful and determined children: Bre, Hunter, and Cambria. Jake’s children are the center of his world and dreams. He taught them to work hard, to be selfless, to give more than you take, to explore the mountains and the world, and to embrace life with plenty of laughter and a bit of crazy troublemaking.

Founder of Pella Concrete, Jake inherited his skills from his great-grandpa, Jacob Pella, and became well known throughout the Wasatch Mountains for his perfect concrete work. His craftsmanship can be seen in many places, including the concrete seating at Soldier Summit, which he built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Jake was loved by his clients, known for being honest, trustworthy, and for his caring nature in how he approached every project.

In 2017, Jake met Jeana Keetch. They married in 2020 and spent their time together exploring and enjoying the outdoors. Jake taught Jeana to hunt, shoot, and see the world through his eyes. Jake was the love of Jeana’s life.

Jake passed away on August 25, 2025 at the age of 51. He will always be remembered for his giving personality and genuine care as a husband, father, brother, and son. He was always looking out for those in need, believing that when you give, it always comes back around in quality ways. He had a positive outlook on life, seeing beauty in people and experiences. He faced a lot of physical pain in this life and chose to fight for his family, get up every morning, strengthen his body, work hard, laugh, and chase a bit of fun.

Jake Pella is truly one of a kind, with golden eyes and a golden heart. The impact he left on his family and friends cannot be replicated. We know he is running wild and happy in Heaven, telling us all how great it is—“you know what I mean.”

Jake is survived by his wife, Jeana Pella; his three children, Bre, Hunter, and Cambria Pella; his step-children Aeddon and Audri “Noah” Morgan; his precious Monkey, “Jakey Girl” Pella; his parents, Chris and Rita Pella; and his siblings, J. Brian Pella, Nicole Pella, and Brent Thompson, along with loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and many friends who are like family.

Jake’s funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 365 South 900 East, Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Afterward, family and friends are invited to stay for a luncheon, where there will be an open mic to share stories, memories, and laughter in honor of Jake’s life.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Jake’s GoFundMe to help cover the costs of memorializing his life.

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Recordings will be available for 60 days from date of servcie.