"Jake gave us everything, he made us who we are today. By knowing Jake we became richer, deeper people who have a understanding of what is important in life." He was born both deaf and blind, but he dazzled his family and support staff with how he could convey his wants and needs. New Smyrna Beach was his favorite weekend request. During the hot summer months, his passion was boating on Lake Maitland and swimming on Doggie Island. Throughout his life, he was a symbol of what a person who was born both deaf and blind could do. Whether it was learning a language, by using touch or learning to spell out words in letters he had never heard. Jake was a champion. For years Jake was the name sake of Jake Allen Center for Deaf Blind Children, a small residential school that taught deaf blind children who had failed in the public setting. He thrived there and moved on to Helen Keller Nation Center. Although life was extremely difficult for Jake many times, he had a fighting spirit that will be remembered by everyone who had contact with him. Jake was an intriguing person, and his understanding of a world was amazing. A rare character, who never tired of the world that he was born into. We are all humbled to have grown up with such a strong individual. Jake is survived by his mother Susan Johnson; his step father David Johnson; his father Michael Allen and his step-mother Debbie Allen; his sister Ellie Casebolt and his brother Jeremiah Allen.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that any memorial gifts honoring Jake Allen be made to the Lighthouse for the Blind. .
A service honoring Jake Allen will take place at Florida Hospital Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Orlando on Friday May 6th at 10:30 A.M
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