Condolences for
Jake Matthew Topley

Dear Bud, Kelly, and family,

Our very deepest sympathies to you on the passing of Jake. There are no satisfactory words to soothe or heal......only know that our hearts and thoughts are with you. Fred and Barbara Ryalls

We send our sincere condolences to the Topley family. We will always remember Jake's smile, energy and enthusiasm. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at such an unimaginably difficult time.

I pledged with Jake. He pledged late -- as a junior -- though not as late as I did (at 50 years old). Word was he pledged to affect an escape from a bad crowd he'd fallen in with. We bonded as audience members at a Greek Week music trivia quiz. What for him was "classic rock", for me was just rock. I recall he was appalled that none of the contestants could come up with the Jimi Hendrix lyric "Excuse me while I kiss the sky." After a notorious pledging event, the brothers had Jake walk me to my car and make sure I was OK. Though Jake always played it cool, I think he was actually more upset than I was.

A year later came our first opportunity to become big brothers. The process gives priority to those who'd been in the fraternity longest. Jake's place in line was next-to-next-to-last. Every brother passed so that Jake got his first choice. That's how loved and respected Jake was. I think he forgot. I think we let him forget.

My brother, we're not meant to be "two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year." We're meant to be an entire school of fish keeping company and traversing the ocean. Wish you were here, Jake, how I wish you were here.

Docblum

I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you. My sympathies to everyone

Rest easy bro, you'll be missed