Obituary
Jacob Brennan Roode

Jacob Brennan Roode, affectionately known as Jake, passed into his eternal rest on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Duke Hospital in Raleigh. He was 24 years old. Born on January 9, 2001, in Milford, Massachusetts, Jake moved with his family to Raleigh, NC, at the age of five and graduated from Millbrook High School in 2019. While a life with a family of his own was his highest dream, he built a life full of love, connection, and purpose. In 2022, Jacob courageously fought and won his battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but his health journey wasn't over. In mid-June 2025, he began a new, heartbreaking fight against a rare autoimmune condition, Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome (APS), and the pulmonary hypertension it caused. The battle was brutally brief but bravely fought. Jacob was a true dog lover. He found his calling working at Audrey’s Bark Yard in Wake Forest, where he spent the last three years of his life. As a front desk attendant and kennel technician, he had a special gift for connecting with both the people and the pups who came through the door. His deepest passion was his goal to become a dog trainer, with the hope of one day training service dogs. Beyond his love for dogs, Jacob was a dedicated gamer. Whether it was on a screen or around a table for a game of Dungeons and Dragons, he treasured the time spent with his long-term gaming group, a group of friends for whom he had great affection. He also found joy in listening to D&D podcasts like Critical Role and Dimension 20—an outlet for his self-proclaimed “nerdery.” Jacob's other passions included cooking, cheering on the Charlotte Hornets, reading, and simply spending quality time with the people he loved. Everyone who met Jacob was touched by his kind and gentle spirit. He had a unique ability to make others feel seen and heard, and his infectious laugh and radiant smile were a light to everyone around him. Jacob is preceded in death by his grandmother, Connie Roode. He leaves behind his adoring parents, Doug and Robyn; his brother, Daniel and his fiancée, Brook; his sister, Elianna; and his beloved canine companion, Sadie. He is also survived by his remaining grandparents, Wayne Roode, and Don and Ruth Hall, as well as an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and the chosen family that he found in an amazing circle of friends who loved him well. A celebration of his life will be held to celebrate the remarkable person that Jacob was on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Rivertree Church, 6894 Litchford Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615. Jake hated to wear a tie so attendees should not feel obligated to dress up. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to one of Jacob’s favorite organizations, Paws for Life NC. Through his work at Audrey’s Bark Yard, he often supported this organization by walking and working with their foster dogs. Donations in his memory can be made at: https://www.pawsforlifenc.org/donate2