Man nearing his 100th jump of the year killed after parachute malfunctioned while skydiving
A man from Colorado has died as he was getting close to his 100th parachute jump of the year.
Jacob “Jake” Todd from Colorado was killed during a skydiving event in Texas on 15 October, when his parachute malfunctioned.
He is survived by his parents, three siblings, and nine-year-old daughter.
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Jacob's father Dave Todd told FOX 31: “The guy was not only my son, but my best friend."
Despite the risk that comes with skydiving as a sport, Dave said that he knew it made his son happy.
He said: “He knew that I didn’t necessarily like it because I was afraid of the risk, but I also understood what pleasure it brought to his life."
Jacob, who was just 36 when he died, leaves behind a nine-year-old daughter, Jeuene.
His brother Bryan said how the pair would light up a room together.
He said: “He and his daughter were just really something special together."
Bryan added: “I think one of the things that Jake taught me is compassion. Jake was the type of guy that would give you the shirt off of his back, who’d give you the last of something he had if it’s what you needed.”
Dave expressed the best thing you can do in situations like this is not to ask 'why', as why 'opens the opportunity for a lot of hollow answers.'
The Colorado father would rather focus on 'how they will remember him'.
Paying tribute to his son, Dave said that he was someone that you always knew you could count on.
He said: “Jake completely embraced the Colorado spirit, and I’m going to miss him, but I’m really proud of him.
“I fully intend to make sure through his daughter and the rest of my children we’re going to keep that legacy alive.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help cover the costs of Jacob's funeral following the tragic incident. At the time of writing it has raised over $7600 of its $10,000 target.
The page also includes a tribute to Jacob.
It reads: "Jake had a contagiously affectionate attitude. He was always willing to lend a hand and pitch in when he sensed someone in need.
"He knew how to make you laugh and loved to push the limits in his hobbies, whether racing cars or skydiving.
"Most important to Jake was being an extremely loving father to his daughter, Jeune.
"Together they loved to go on adventures like rock hunting, going to theme parks, and sky diving. If you knew Jake, you knew Jeuene was always attached at his hip."
Kit Roberts