Jake Burton Carpenter, the pioneering founder of Burton Snowboards and a trailblazer in the world of snowboarding, sadly passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 65. His untimely death resulted from complications arising from a relapse of testicular cancer.
The news of Carpenter’s passing was conveyed to the public through Burton Snowboards’ official social media channels, while company employees received the somber announcement via email.
Carpenter’s cancer journey began in 2011 when he was initially diagnosed with testicular cancer. Remarkably, he triumphed over the disease but faced another daunting challenge when he was diagnosed with Miller Fisher Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that temporarily paralyzed him. Through an arduous process of rehabilitation, he displayed incredible resilience and managed to recover. Tragically, the cancer resurfaced in 2019, as Carpenter candidly shared with his staff in an email earlier this month.
In his email, Carpenter wrote, «You will not believe this, but my cancer has come back. It’s the same tumor as the first time around. We just never got rid of it all. A bit of it hung out in my lymph nodes and got back into business. The odds are in my favor, but it is going to be a struggle for sure.»
Just weeks later, John Lacy, CEO of Burton Snowboards, relayed the heartbreaking news of Carpenter’s passing to the company’s employees.
Jake Burton Carpenter, a visionary in the world of snowboarding, founded Burton Snowboards in 1977 at the tender age of 23. At that time, snowboarding was a niche sport, only gaining Olympic recognition in 1998. Carpenter’s unwavering determination played a pivotal role in catapulting snowboarding into the mainstream, transforming Burton into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Over the years, Burton has proudly sponsored some of the sport’s most iconic figures, including Shaun White and Chloe Kim, and established its esteemed snowboarding competition, the Burton U.S. Open.
Prior to his passing, Carpenter was dedicated to his latest venture, Mine77—a limited-edition collection of cutting-edge apparel and gear infused with technological innovations and innovative fabrics.
While Burton Snowboards is a private company that does not publicly disclose financials, reports from 2015 indicated annual sales exceeding $500 million. Currently, Burton operates an impressive network of over 30 flagship stores spanning America, Europe, and Asia.
Jake Burton Carpenter leaves behind his loving wife, Donna, and their sons Timi, George, and Taylor. His indelible mark on the world of snowboarding and the sports industry as a whole will continue to be celebrated and cherished by enthusiasts and athletes worldwide.
