Obituary for Jake Robert Boykin
Jake Robert Boykin passed away on September 23, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida when he was hit by a vehicle while cycling. He was deeply loved and his bright smile will be greatly missed.
Jake was born on January 28, 1998 in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Kim and Ken Boykin. From an early age, Jake was an active and inquisitive child, running around and trying to figure out how everything worked. He was very passionate about learning and had to know everything there was to learn about his current obsession whether that was construction trucks, astronomy, photography, weightlifting, chemistry, legos, sports, nutrition, muscle physiology and bikes!
Jake’s faith grew at St Paul’s United Methodist Church where he participated in church plays, choir, led vacation bible school and helped annually with the angel tree project. In college at Gustavus, he helped lead worship with Proclaim and spent a summer working with the Academy for Faith, Science and Ethics.
Jake loved sports! He participated in soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, golf, and football. He was always trying to find ways to compete, even creating Boykin Olympics for his family. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and will forever believe that Dez caught it! Jake loved to be outside whether it be in the back or front yard or the forests at the family cabin.
Jake was part of the first four-year class at Centennial High School in Las Cruces where he wrote the school fight song, played catcher in baseball and linebacker in football. He lettered in academics, baseball and football. He was voted all-state linebacker and team co-defensive MVP his senior year. Jake graduated in 2016.
Jake attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minnesota where he received an academic scholarship and majored in chemistry. He continued to play football and was starting middle linebacker for his last three years. He was a co-captain and received all conference honors his senior year. He was an active member of the Reds fraternity, Proclaim and SAVE (Student Athlete Volunteer Educators – whose partial focus was awareness of the hazards of drinking and driving). Jake enjoyed his time in Minnesota, polar vortex and all. Jake graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 2020.
Jake went on to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas working on his Master of Science in the Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management. He conducted research in body composition in the lab of Dr. Grant Tinsley. Jake graduated from Texas Tech in 2022 and had multiple authorships on scientific publications. Jake began working on his PhD at Florida State University in 2022 in the Health and Human Sciences Exercise Physiology program researching muscle physiology in the lab of Dr. Brad Gordon.
It is in Lubbock that Jake found a new passion – cycling. Bored by the lockdowns of the pandemic he purchased an old road bike. He began riding the roads around Lubbock, using his research and his inquisitive mind to increase performance. His first competitive race as a Cat 5 was in the spring of 2022. He moved to Cat 4 in time for the 2022 Tulsa Tough competition. He won the first race at Tulsa and finished 9th on crybaby hill. He moved to Cat 3 shortly before arriving at Florida State and moved up to Cat 2 in 2023. He continued racing and connecting with the cycling community in Tallahassee. Many cyclists took him under their wing and helped Jake join the racing team Velobrew. Jake was always happiest on his bike going full-gas! The faster the better. In May 2023 Jake won the Collegiate Nationals Club Time Trials National Championship competing for Florida State University in Albuquerque, NM.
Jake was so many things to all who met him. He was always positive and happy. He was fiercely loyal, crazy bright, humble, active and highly competitive. He inspired us to be the best version of ourselves. He gave the very best bear hugs that lasted forever. Jake’s smile was infectious and lit up any room he was in. He had a strong faith and we don’t doubt for a moment he is cycling all over heaven, exploring and finding the next great race!
Jake is survived by his parents Ken and Kim Boykin and his sister Chaeley Boykin of Irvine, CA, girlfriend Madelyn Simmang of Lubbock, TX, grandparents Ed and Sue Kline of Irvine, CA, grandmother Jane Boykin of Las Cruces, NM, aunts Marty (Patrick) McCray and Krista Kline, uncles Doug (Norene) and Tim (Kelsey) Kline, numerous cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his grandparents William E. and Roberta J. Boykin.
The Tallahassee cycling community held a memorial ride on September 28, 2023. A Celebration of Life Service for Jake will be held at 3:00 pm on October 28, 2023 in Las Cruces, NM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. An additional memorial is being planned at Gustavus Adolphus College.