“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

Jacob Edward Dakota Byford-Wells, age 21, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 27th, 2017, in St. Louis. He was born May 6th, 1996, in St. Louis County, to John (JD) Wells and Stacy (Byford) Skinner. He attended Parkway South High School. He had recently returned to St. Louis from Colorado where he enjoyed hiking in the mountains and taking in the beauty of the local parks.

Jacob is survived by his mother and step-father, Stacy and Jimmy Skinner; his brothers Taylor Byford and Mason Skinner and his sister, Mackenzie Skinner; his father and step-mother, John (JD) and Melissa Wells; his step-brother Zach Dylag and his step-sister Michaela Dylag. He also leaves his maternal grandparents, Ron and Jean Byford and Sherry Byford; his paternal grandparents, Rosalee (Mimi) Wells and is preceded in death by Gary Wells.

Jacob was a beautiful person who felt deeply for everyone. He had a smile that will never be forgotten and a laugh that was contagious. His wings were ready, but our hearts were not. He will always be loved as high as the sky, deep as the ocean and around the world…twice!

“Death had to take him sleeping because if he had been awake there would have been a fight.” -Thomas R. Marshall about Theodore Roosevelt (conservation leader responsible for establishing many national parks, forests, and monuments)

In memory of his young life lost…

Go to the park and find the most beautiful thing there, sit down and soak up the awe of it and know that Jake is right there with you, soaking it in too with that smile on his face. Find a person that the rest of the world has thrown away, give them a hug and show them compassion and know that Jake is right there, holding your hand and theirs. Laugh at something so off-the-wall and so silly that no one else would even understand and know that Jake is right there laughing with you. When you feel alone…know that Jake is right there with you.