It is with great sadness and disbelief that I find myself writing these words. My best friend Blake Lang passed away today October 3rd. The hours since learning of his passing has brought me an influx of ranging emotions. As one may imagine, I feel the grief over his loss, the tragic reality of a friend and brother gone too soon. Even more so, my mind has been filled with so many memories. In their recollection, despite the overbearing knowing of reality, I still found myself smiling and even laughing over the many times we shared.

Blake and I are brothers of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at USF. This is how we met. When we became roommates in the fraternity house, I did not know how close of a friendship would grow between us. Blake was easy-going and friendly. He was genuine and guileless. He was loyal and kind.

To me however, his best quality was his sense of humor. If you knew Blake, you knew he loved to laugh. I admired his wit and timing, his ability to observe the normal and mundane and bring out the hilarity of a given situation. He was ever light-hearted and like myself, thought there was nothing better in life than being able to make people laugh.

In our time as roommates, we became inseparable. Ask anyone from our college days and most will say we came as a pair. We played off each other so well, and just plainly enjoyed each others company. I considered him kin.

Over a decade has passed since those days in the fraternity house. Years have a way about them. You realize more years have passed since college than the years spent there. When Blake came to my wedding, I realized I hadn't seen him in eight. Despite this, we spent hours laughing at jokes we'd only find funny and memories only we would know.

In my wedding guestbook Blake called himself my biggest fan and wrote "You have my back and I have yours,". Now the reality sets in. Our time is over. He is gone. I will be laughing alone. Despite this, I am grateful for our memories. Memories that despite this reality, still bring a smile to my face. I really do think that was his special gift.

I didn't get to say goodbye to my friend. Like most tragedies, his passing was sudden and unexpected. This fundraiser is my attempt to adhere to his words. To have his back. Blake would not have wanted to burden those he loved. I find my only recourse now that he is gone, is an attempt to lesson his family's burden of laying him to rest. $8,000 is the average cost of a funeral according to Google, so that is the goal.

If perhaps you counted Blake as a friend, or shared a laugh with him at one point; please consider donating a few dollars so I can keep up with my end of the bargain.

David Blake Lang

9/11/90 - 10/3/23

Thank you for honoring my best friend,

Tyler King