Jacob Raynor

On August 27, 2023, Jacob Owen Bybee Raynor, our beloved son, brother, uncle and friend, at the young age of 24, lost his six year battle with leukemia.

Jacob, “baby Owen,” or “Capt'n Jac,” was born on June 3rd, 1999 in Sandy, Utah to his mother Brooke Emma Bybee and father John Gibby Raynor. Jacob was the fourth child and third boy in the family. He came with a bang, and the doctor missed delivering him, earning him the nickname rumble seat, or Mario Andretti. He kept up this “fast and adventurous” reputation as a baby and young boy. Baby Jacob shocked everyone with his first word “hi!” at only 2 months old. Jacob’s love for speaking didn't wane, and neither did his love for adventure or learning. Jacob was famous for taking off when someone least expected it, from the time he could walk. Jacob was also famous for falling asleep anywhere and on anything. He was found in the backyard, under tables, on top of counters fast asleep. Jacob did well in school, and was very hurt and disappointed when his mother wouldn't let him start kindergarten at four years old. He had had enough of 'baby school.' At the age of three, Jacob's family moved to Cedar City, right next door to lots of cousins. He and his brothers spent as much time as they could outdoors and in the surrounding washes and hills. Jacob learned to milk and care for goats and sheep and other animals. A magical turning point came when Jacob was six. On a family camping trip, he was shown how to fish. Standing in the water, Jacob would not move for hours, casting his line again and again. He had to be picked up and hauled into the truck as the family was leaving.

As Jacob grew, he added guns and ORV's to his hobbies. He very much enjoyed fixing and playing with anything that roared in the dirt, and collecting and firing guns and ammo. Another significant talent that developed for Jacob by the time he was a teen was his incredible singing voice. Jacob used this, along with his sharp wit and encyclopedic knowledge, to constantly entertain family and friends. Jacob loved to sing with his siblings and cousins.

When Jacob turned 18 in June 2017, he had a great desire to join the army, his family talked him out of this and he went job searching. He was particularly tired that summer (which we later learned was a symptom of leukemia), and he really struggled to find a job or decide on college, but eventually moved into a bachelor's pad with friends and landed an automotive job in Mt. Pleasant. It was at work on October 9th, 2017 that Jacob felt dizzy and had a nose bleed that wouldn't stop. He was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with b-cell A-L-L or Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Jacob, being only 18, began treatment for this childhood cancer at Primary Children's Hospital. Many family and friends rallied, pouring out help, love and prayer and Jacob was in remission by March 2018. He moved in with his brother Nephi in June to begin his young life again with high hopes. One year later In July of 2019, Jacob again had another dizzy spell while working at his maintenance job. He was declared out of remission by the ER and again returned to the Primary Children's where he spent the next four months undergoing chemo, painful radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Most of his siblings were tested, but his older brother Nephi, his best friend, was a perfect match to give him lifesaving marrow.

It was not until February of 2020, that Jacob came back home to a new large room that friends and family had finished for him at his mom's house.

In the process of all the treatments, appointments, and hours in a hospital room, Jacob studied, read and became a veritable walking encyclopedia. There wasn't a documentary he hadn't seen, hardly a "do it yourself" video he hadn't watched. He made many friends among the staff, and also had two lovely caretakers, Shelby and Beth who sacrificed time to be with him for his 100 days following each bone marrow transplant.

In late 2020 Jacob's family received the devastating news the transplant had failed. A new treatment called CarT cell therapy was introduced. This appeared to work well, and Jacob was enjoying life and new step-siblings by early 2021. In late December 2021 Jacob began again having symptoms of leukemia. This time he went through an intensive round of CarT cell, Chemotherapy and another bone marrow transplant. As of May 27th, 2022, he was declared in remission. His cousin Beth helped care for him until he was able to come home in August. Jacob spent time doing many things he loved the next fall, winter, and spring, including a family cruise, singing in the program “Waters of Mormon” and working with the scouts. Jacob also spent a lot of time helping care for his sister with down syndrome, Sarah. Jacob was known for his generosity, fun loving sense of humor and lots of fun rough and tumble play with his little brothers. Jacob also made a mean stir fry and spaghetti sauce, which he treated his family to often. Jacob had a solid and profound testimony of the love of his Savior and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and loved going to church with his family.

At the end of June 2023, after a round of baling hay with the scouts Jacob experienced some very sore muscles and dizzy spells. On July 3rd, Jacob was told by his cancer team that there were no more cures. Jacob spent the next month enjoying family, friends and was gifted an epic fishing trip to Alaska with his cousin, brothers and sister, Emma. Four days after returning, Jacob was diagnosed with pneumonia and spent a week in the hospital. Because of prayers from loved ones and hundreds of friends, Jacob made a miraculous recovery and was able to spend another month with his family before Heavenly Father finally took him home on Sunday, August 27, 2023.

Jacob is survived by his mother Brooke (Lane), father John (Ellie), brothers Nephi (Kaylie), Ammon, Hyrum, David Moroni, Marlan, Malachi, sisters Emma, Sarah, and Charlotte. Jacob was received in heaven by his Grandpa Kent Bybee and many grandparents and loved ones, that escorted him into the arms of his Savior. The family wishes to thank all who have provided many beautiful kindnesses, meals and donations for the family during this time. Funeral donations can be made to Anderson Funeral Home at 435-623-0153.

Funeral services will be held Monday, September 4, 2023 at 11:00 am at Rocky Ridge Chapel, Rocky Ridge, Utah, with a viewing from 9:00 to 10:45 am and also Sunday, September 3, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Rocky Ridge Chapel.