Memorial Held For Pueblo Teen

A memorial was held Wednesday for Jake Clifton, the 18-year-old who drowned while swimming at Lake Pueblo State Park last Friday.

Hundreds of family members, friends, coaches and teachers gathered at Assembly of God Church in Pueblo Wednesday morning to honor the life of the teen.

Clifton?s sister, previous coaches and friends were among those who spoke at the service.

?He was a very hardworking kid, very caring individual and a very good role model for our players younger kids. He had a great sense of humor and left a lot for our younger kids to follow,? said Dennis Downs, who was Clifton?s baseball coach for two years.

Clifton was a basketball, baseball and football player as well as a motorcycle enthusiast. Attendants of the ceremony said Clifton brought light to every situation and will be greatly missed.

A former classmate of Clifton, Dylan Finley, said she is trying to ?focus on the positives.? Finley also said she is also relying on the support of friends ?knowing that we?re going to get through it together.?

The service included a release of green and gold balloons, Pueblo County High School?s school colors. Clifton?s friends say this was a symbolic way of letting Clifton know he will not be forgotten.

Finley said she believes Finley is looking down on everybody saying ?Dang, I?m loved! A lot of people love me.?

A scholarship fund has been set up in Jake Clifton’s name, in honor of his life. To donate you can mail a check to Evolution Baseball at 2 Hilton Lane, Pueblo, CO 81001. The family asks for check to be made payable to Jake Clifton T Cross Memorial.