Ray and Terri Morales from Prescott Valley refer to their community at Country Thunder Arizona as “framily.” That is, friends and family who are here to celebrate the country music festival in Florence.

But they’re here to celebrate two people who can’t be there, too.

In November 2018, 19-year-olds Jake Morales and Gunner Bundrick died of an accidental overdose of illicit drugs and fentanyl intoxication, according to The Daily Courier. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is deadly in large doses.

The young men had been popular athletes at Bradshaw Mountain High School and best friends since little league. At the 2019 country music festival in Florence, 25 people are gathered in honor of Jake and Gunner, two best friends who “did everything together.”

“When you saw Gunner, you saw Jake and when you saw Jake, you saw Gunner,” Jake’s mom Terri said.

That’s still the case at the Morales family’s Country Thunder campsite, where two large photos of the friends are taped to an RV. 

Gunner is pictured on the left, and Jake’s to the right. Below the photos on a table are a pair of boots, a hat, a can of Coors beer and Jake’s ashes in a glass red, white and blue orb his sister made.

“Jake really loved wearing the American flag,” Ray said. “He lined the inside of his truck with the American flag.”

Jake used to attend Country Thunder. But this year, his dad, Ray, has taken Jake’s place.

The Bundrick family is back home near Prescott.

‘This year’s for you’

“He loved country music and loved Country Thunder,” Terri said. “He was so excited for Tim McGraw. That’s why we wore shirts in honor of Jake, Friday night.”

On Saturday, the family is wearing white, Gunner’s favorite color.

The Moraleses won’t meet Tim McGraw or Dierks Bentley, Friday and Saturday’s headlining acts, respectively. But Country Thunder officials are able to get McGraw and Bentley, Jake’s favorites, to sign one of the shirts made in his honor.

Tim McGraw at Country Thunder: He treated the crowd to 25 years of singalongs

It has two red solo cups clinking together, one says “Jake” and the other has his jersey number 11. In bold, white writing, it reads, “Country Thunder 2019” and “This year’s for you.”

Dierks Bentley and Jake’s special song

One fond memory Terri has from Country Thunders past is how each member of her family would have a special song. Like when Jake and her niece bonded over Bentley’s “It’s Different For Girls” as he was going through a breakup.

“At one Country Thunder, Dierks played that song and we saw (Jake) running through the crowd to find my niece and sing with her,” Terri said. “He did the same with Toby Keith last year. We didn’t see him all day then he came running through the crowd. He’d be there when you needed him.”

Dierks at Country Thunder: Brought ‘The Mountain’ home in rowdy yet reflective set

‘Our boys don’t get a second chance’

Ray and Terri Morales are sharing their son’s story because they don’t want the same thing to happen to others.

“These dealers out there get a slap on the hand and our boys don’t get a second chance,” Terri said.

“Our son was anti-fentanyl,” Ray said. “He would preach to his friends saying ‘stay away from this stuff …’ If your friends say try something, don’t. Don’t try it if you don’t know where it came from.”

Besides sharing what happened to Jake, they’re making sure his legacy continues.

How Jake’s legacy will continue

Jake and Gunner were loved by the community for lending a helping hand when needed. 

“One day, a pizza delivery guy came to our house … and he walked inside and told us he knew Jake,” she said. “Jake was two years ahead of him … he said the upperclassmen would pick on him when he was younger, and Jake stood up for him.”

That night, they decided to set up the Jake Morales Foundation. Its aim? To help a student who wants to go to college — and exemplifies the same characteristics of kindness, generosity and athleticism that Jake had. However, it won’t be an athletic scholarship. The Moraleses say they’ll soon develop a website for the foundation, which is incorporated through the Arizona Corporation Commission.

It is the Morales family’s last year attending the music festival. But for now, Country Thunder and memories of their loved ones are helping them cope and spread awareness.

“Jake and Gunner knew their dealer,” Terri said. “The message is you can’t trust anybody. Have a parent take you to the doctor’s to get a prescription.”

Want to pitch a story idea? Reach reporter Samantha Incorvaia at sincorvaia@gannett.com or 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter at @_SamI520.

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