Jake Owen Tatum was born on December 22, 1992 in Bonner Springs, KS and went home to be with the Lord on November 20, 2016. Jake’s parents are Chris and Theresa Johnson, Cumming, GA and Mark and Angie Tatum of Scottsdale, AZ. His siblings are: Kelsey Mason, Clay Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Tanner, Trey and Tayler Poirier as well as brother-in-law: Stefan Mason. His grandparents are: Craig and Mary Vannest of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Jim and Bonnie Legg of Tonkawa, OK, John and Nancy Tatum of Norman, OK, Ken and Diane Eshelman of Houston, TX, Joyce Johnson of Odessa, TX and Steve and Jackie Storey of Chandler, AZ. He is preceded in death by his Uncle Craig Johnson.
Jake graduated from West Forsyth High School and attended West GA College where he played Defensive Tackle. As he noted to many friends and family, his years in football were some of the best years of his life. If anyone watched Jake play football all would agree he was passionate as a D Lineman, but surprisingly off the field, he was lovingly known by Coach, his grandfather, as the Gentle Giant. After college, he became an insurance agent and was humorously acknowledged as Jake from State Farm. He recently began a new career as a Sales Representative for Northwest Exterminating where he found his niche, even though he was surprisingly afraid of insects.
After football, Jake’s next passions were hunting and fishing. During the last month he tagged out this hunting season with two bucks and a doe. He purchased land near Amicalola Falls and was excited to build a home on his acreage in the future. He noted one of his top hunts occurred recently when he shot a buck on his new property with his good friend Nathan Teter. Another remarkable hunt was a big game trip to Africa several years ago with his dad Chris, where he brought home a Spring Bok, Zebra, Kudu, and Blue Wildebeest. He was an avid fisherman and loved to fish for bass, crappy, saltwater fish and attended several Canadian fishing trips with his father Mark and Grandfather John Tatum.
Jake loved life and lived every moment to his fullest. Family members and friends were his utmost enjoyment in life. His stories of work and times with people will be missed by so many since laughter was a gift he gave to everyone around him so easily. He also attended Browns Bridge Church in Cumming, GA.
Please honor Jake by supporting The Wounded Warrior Project in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made in Jake Tatum’s name at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or by calling 855-448-3997.
A viewing will be held at Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Avenue, Cumming, GA, Friday, November 25th 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The service will be at Browns Bridge Church, 3860 Browns Bridge Rd
Cumming, GA 30041 on Saturday, November 26, 2016: 11:00 AM.
Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.