Blake Cooper Appleton

COURAGEOUS LITTLE BOY LEAVES A LEGACY FULL OF HOPE, FAITH, COURAGE AND LOVE

On May 15, 2012, BLAKE "BLAKEY" COOPER APPLETON, left this world to celebrate eternal life with the Lord. Blake led a valiant fight with cancer. He passed away at his home in Lake Wales surrounded by loved ones.

Blake was born on February 3, 2003 in Brandon, Florida; he came to Lake Wales at the age of two. For those of you who did not know Blake Appleton, he was a true inspiration to a lot of people all over the world and in his community. His favorite color was red; he loved red gummy bears and drinking Publix sweet tea. He also loved going to Lorraine’s Place for his Blakey hotdog. Blake got to accomplish a lot of things in his life before he passed.

These are some of the things he was able to accomplish: Lucas Boyce of the Orlando Magic, got the family courtside seats against the New Jersey Nets on Dec. 29, 2011. The highlight was an after-game meeting with Dwight Howard and Ryan Johnson outside the locker room, with the big man coming out to meet Blake shirtless with a towel draped around his neck.

The next morning, they were off to Denver for an all-expenses paid trip that included tickets to the final regular-season home game for the Denver Broncos, against the Kansas City Chiefs. After Denver Police officers volunteered to escort Blake to Mile High Stadium, the family stepped onto the field during the pre-game activities when Tebow dropped by. Tim Tebow called Blake in early December, but nothing compared to this. Blake had always idolized Tebow because he and his family are Florida Gators fans. During one round of chemo treatments, when he went to Shand’s Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, Blake actually beamed "I am going to Tebow country!"

He traveled to New York City where he got to spend time with the NYFD were he met the firefighters of Engine 54 Ladder 4 and Engine 10 Ladder 10, the first to respond to 911. He rode in one of the fire trucks to the World Trade Center Mural of 911. He beamed inside that truck as he honked the horn and turned the lights on. He loved firefighters because they are so courageous.

He also met Amar'e Stoudemire and Jr. Smith of the NY Knicks and was the recipient of the Care 2 Tri Award. Blake was a Miles for Hope ambassador, City of Lake Wales Key Holder, Junior Firefighter, Honorary Deputy Sheriff, member of the PCSO Swat Team, and K-9 Units, a deep sea fisherman, and on April 27, 2012, he received the Polk Avenue Elementary School's “Leader of Courage Award“.

Blake Appleton will be missed by all. He touched the lives and hearts of so many people around this community and around the world. He leaves a legacy of hope, faith, courage and love. As we go on with our everyday lives, we will NEVER forget Blake Appleton, with that smile bigger than the moon and brighter than the sun.

Blake is survived by his mother, Miranda Joe Appleton; his father, Jason Earl Appleton; his big sister, Morgan Michelle Appleton; his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and lots of friends that loved him.

Blake's Memorial Service is open to all of his family and friends on Saturday, May 26th at 4:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, 338 East Central Avenue, Lake Wales, FL 33853. For Blake's celebration of life, please wear BRIGHT colors.

Any donations in memory of Blake Appleton can be made to the Arnold Palmer Hospital and to any other charity of your choice.

To view the Memorial Service please click here .

To view the Tribute Video, please click the link below:
http://videos.lifetributes.com/307970