Justin Blake DeShazo (Blake) of Alabaster, Alabama, was born on Tuesday, April 16, 1985 and passed away much too soon on Friday, December 23, 2022 at the age of 37. While our family is heartbroken in grief for the tragic loss of Blake and the promise of his life on this Earth, we take solace and hope in knowing that he is now experiencing the promise of eternal pure joy and peace with his Savior.

Blake was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Owen and Virginia DeShazo; his maternal grandparents, Ellis and Lallage Bentley; and his niece, Aubrey DeShazo. Blake leaves behind his two beloved teenaged sons, Gabriel and Ashton DeShazo; his mother, Judy Bentley DeShazo; his father and stepmother, Carl Daniel “Danny” and Lynne DeShazo; his sister, Tammy DeShazo Barry (Chris); his brother, Daniel DeShazo (Pam); his sister, Heather DeShazo Waldron (John); his youngest sister, Lindsey DeShazo; his three stepsisters, Melissa LaFrance Kittrell (Marcus), Kendall LaFrance Knight (Bobby), and Stephanie LaFrance Fountain (Glenn); his nephew, Andersen, and five nieces, Reagen, Allie, Abigail, Molly, and Caylee; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and step nieces and nephews.

Blake was a student at Oak Mountain High School and later served in the United States Army during the Iraq War between 2008 and 2010. During his service, Blake attended the US Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia, and afterward served in a designated imminent danger pay area. He earned a Global War on Terrorism service medal, Iraq campaign medal with campaign star, army service ribbon, overseas service ribbon (Iraq), and parachutist badge. Although Blake found it difficult to find direction in his life after leaving the Army, no matter the circumstances, a constant in his life was his love for his family and his love for God. Blake was well-versed in the Bible and regularly shared scripture to find strength for himself and to inspire others. He was witty, had a good sense of humor, and loved to make others laugh. Even in the darkest of times, there was a light about Blake that drew others to him.

In February 2021, Blake became paralyzed and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder known as transverse myelitis. Wheelchair-bound, Blake was determined to walk again and was actively working on skills to become a digital creator. He was an excellent writer and desired to write an inspirational life story of triumph over his challenges. Although he was never able to walk again on this Earth or finish his mortal story of triumph, he is now walking eternally triumphant in the presence of God. Our family will forever remember the times of happiness that we each had the opportunity to share with Blake, for that is what we treasure—and what we will always cherish about him until we see him again.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 30th at 11:00 am at Sylacauga First Assembly, 560 Gantts Junction Road, Sylacauga, AL 35150. 

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to an education fund for Blake’s sons, Gabriel and Ashton (details on this site).

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/justin-deshazo/obituary/

Copy