1994
Blake
2016
Blake Exposito
June 14, 1994 — October 29, 2016
Joseph Blake Exposito passed away on October 29th, 2016. He was 22-years-old. He was a lifer at The Barstow School, and currently a student at the University of Kansas, studying a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Lab Science. He was the son of Paul Exposito (Julie Meriano) and Monique Exposito (Steve Gill), brother to Broc Exposito, and stepbrother, grandson, cousin, and friend to so many more.
Blake—or “Shorty,” as his family called him, despite the fact that he grew to be taller than any of us—wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after graduation, but he was looking forward to an internship at the KC Crime Lab. When Blake discovered his passion for nature and science, he excelled at school, volunteered his time, blood, and bone marrow, and never once skipped a day of work—even if he often couldn’t be bothered to clean his own room.
To say that Blake marched to the beat of his own drum is an understatement. The first things you might notice about him were his wrinkled Hawaiian shirts, comically-oversized “Minions” phone case, or his 1987 Grand Marquis that he loved to parade around town. But what you’d remember the longest after seeing him—and it could be most easily spotted perhaps when he didn’t think anyone was looking—was his radiant smile.
Blake wasn’t like most guys his age. He read every Twilight book, and dragged his Dad to the midnight showing of every movie (team Edward, by the way). He’d seen every episode of Golden Girls and Pawn Stars, and was easily the world’s foremost expert on the Beatles. When he wasn’t banging on his drum set until the house shook, he was playing video games online with his brother, spending time with his lifelong friends, or eating WAY too much candy.
Blake didn’t need or ask for much from anybody. Perhaps what he enjoyed most in life was simply having dinner with his parents, making them force the details about his day from him like pulling teeth. He loved his Animals—his Mom’s neurotic beagle, his dad’s stinky pug, and his cat whom he refused to call by her real name, instead opting for “Kitteh.”
It can be hard to define Blake because his unyielding curiosity about the world led him to pick up new hobbies on a daily basis. Whether it was adding to his Guinness-worthy LEGO collection, building his own computer from scratch, or planting all types of vegetables (that he admittedly was better at planting than remembering to water), Blake loved anything he could do with his hands. Once Blake got an idea for a new project in his head, nothing could stop him from getting it done. To Blake, nothing was beyond his comprehension.
Despite this, Blake never let his accomplishments or his undeniable intelligence go to his head. Most often, Blake preferred to listen to others rather than make himself the center of attention. Blake rarely offered his unsolicited advice, but if you asked him he was more than happy to help you get through whatever problem you were facing.
Blake showed his love through his actions, and in ways only he could. He thought wrapping gifts was a waste of time, and probably never once bought a holiday card. His idea of a Christmas gift for his brother was walking into his room, unplugging his Xbox, and saying “Here, you can have this.” But Blake was also constantly surprising us with little gestures that came from a place of deep love, and showed that we were always on his mind. Gestures like the time Blake, completely out of the blue, entered that same brother into a drawing for a chance to meet the Pawn Stars in Las Vegas—even though that one did turn out to be a timeshare scam.
We will always remember Blake for the small things he gave us—laughter, pride, even tough love when we needed it. Today, the world is a little bit dimmer than it used to be. But only because Blake made it so much brighter to begin with.
Blake’s family plans to spread his ashes in Canada and Mexico, where we’ve taken the family trips that have given us so many special memories.
The memorial service will take place at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at 8909 W 179th St on Thursday, November 3rd at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, Blake would want you give any spare time or money towards saving the planet. We suggest:
Healthy Rivers Partnership
Cultivate KC
The Nature Conservancy
We love you Shorty. We will all miss you, and we will never forget the love you brought into our lives.
His Mother and Father Monique Exposito (Steve Gill) and Paul Exposito (Julie Meriano).
His Grandparents John and Sharon Exposito of Blue Springs, Judy Pap (Ted Williams) of Overland Park, and Joe Pap of Overland Park.
His older Brother and friend Broc Exposito.
His Stepsiblings Connor, Miles, and Justin Gill, and Sebastian and Gabriela Meriano.
His Aunts and Uncles Todd Pap (Stacy) of Lee’s Summit and Karen Singbiel (Bruce) of Canada.
His Cousins Tanner, Hunter, and Garrett Pap and Hunter, Cole, and Shane Singbiel.
Blake—or “Shorty,” as his family called him, despite the fact that he grew to be taller than any of us—wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after graduation, but he was looking forward to an internship at the KC Crime Lab. When Blake discovered his passion for nature and science, he excelled at school, volunteered his time, blood, and bone marrow, and never once skipped a day of work—even if he often couldn’t be bothered to clean his own room.
To say that Blake marched to the beat of his own drum is an understatement. The first things you might notice about him were his wrinkled Hawaiian shirts, comically-oversized “Minions” phone case, or his 1987 Grand Marquis that he loved to parade around town. But what you’d remember the longest after seeing him—and it could be most easily spotted perhaps when he didn’t think anyone was looking—was his radiant smile.
Blake wasn’t like most guys his age. He read every Twilight book, and dragged his Dad to the midnight showing of every movie (team Edward, by the way). He’d seen every episode of Golden Girls and Pawn Stars, and was easily the world’s foremost expert on the Beatles. When he wasn’t banging on his drum set until the house shook, he was playing video games online with his brother, spending time with his lifelong friends, or eating WAY too much candy.
Blake didn’t need or ask for much from anybody. Perhaps what he enjoyed most in life was simply having dinner with his parents, making them force the details about his day from him like pulling teeth. He loved his Animals—his Mom’s neurotic beagle, his dad’s stinky pug, and his cat whom he refused to call by her real name, instead opting for “Kitteh.”
It can be hard to define Blake because his unyielding curiosity about the world led him to pick up new hobbies on a daily basis. Whether it was adding to his Guinness-worthy LEGO collection, building his own computer from scratch, or planting all types of vegetables (that he admittedly was better at planting than remembering to water), Blake loved anything he could do with his hands. Once Blake got an idea for a new project in his head, nothing could stop him from getting it done. To Blake, nothing was beyond his comprehension.
Despite this, Blake never let his accomplishments or his undeniable intelligence go to his head. Most often, Blake preferred to listen to others rather than make himself the center of attention. Blake rarely offered his unsolicited advice, but if you asked him he was more than happy to help you get through whatever problem you were facing.
Blake showed his love through his actions, and in ways only he could. He thought wrapping gifts was a waste of time, and probably never once bought a holiday card. His idea of a Christmas gift for his brother was walking into his room, unplugging his Xbox, and saying “Here, you can have this.” But Blake was also constantly surprising us with little gestures that came from a place of deep love, and showed that we were always on his mind. Gestures like the time Blake, completely out of the blue, entered that same brother into a drawing for a chance to meet the Pawn Stars in Las Vegas—even though that one did turn out to be a timeshare scam.
We will always remember Blake for the small things he gave us—laughter, pride, even tough love when we needed it. Today, the world is a little bit dimmer than it used to be. But only because Blake made it so much brighter to begin with.
Blake’s family plans to spread his ashes in Canada and Mexico, where we’ve taken the family trips that have given us so many special memories.
The memorial service will take place at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at 8909 W 179th St on Thursday, November 3rd at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, Blake would want you give any spare time or money towards saving the planet. We suggest:
Healthy Rivers Partnership
Cultivate KC
The Nature Conservancy
We love you Shorty. We will all miss you, and we will never forget the love you brought into our lives.
His Mother and Father Monique Exposito (Steve Gill) and Paul Exposito (Julie Meriano).
His Grandparents John and Sharon Exposito of Blue Springs, Judy Pap (Ted Williams) of Overland Park, and Joe Pap of Overland Park.
His older Brother and friend Broc Exposito.
His Stepsiblings Connor, Miles, and Justin Gill, and Sebastian and Gabriela Meriano.
His Aunts and Uncles Todd Pap (Stacy) of Lee’s Summit and Karen Singbiel (Bruce) of Canada.
His Cousins Tanner, Hunter, and Garrett Pap and Hunter, Cole, and Shane Singbiel.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Blake Exposito, please visit our flower store.