June 18, 2002

[Guest guest]

age 21 passed away June 18, 2002 after 2 liver

transplants and a very long and courageous fight for his live. and his mother Ruth were both

members of our group, Ruth still is.

’s Uncle Wayne wrote this “Letter To

The Editor” after passed.

To the Editor,

Even though I am no longer a St. Louis area resident, I have

noticed many articles in the paper lately about courage, dignity and strength

of purpose and honor. Many of these

are deservedly about high profile St. Louis citizens, who have

given greatly of themselves to this city. I would like to add one more

example. On the same day that Jack

Buck passed, a young man

named , of O'Fallon gave up a heroic battle

to live, after going through 2 liver transplants, 20 surgical procedures, tests

and invasions of his body too numerous to mention. He was 21 years old,

and my nephew. I live now in Ohio after growing up in Granite City, and while making 2

trips

to visit him, my sister Ruth and her husband

, I had to rely mostly on daily emails and weekly phone calls and observe

his struggle from the sidelines. After the end came, it dawned on me, that

sometimes the biggest hero's, the most courageous, are the ones who fight

on, with no particular notice, no spotlights, just for the chance to live out,

or help someone else live out a normal life span. I have a feeling that

this happens every day. This time, though, it happened to my

family.

I finally had to pay attention. fought

every single day of the

6 months in the hospital. His mother, took a

leave from her job for 6 months to be at this side " every " day for

the entire time. His father went to visit him before and after work, and

again took many days off work to be with him. My father, ’s

grandfather who is 75 years old, drove 2 hours to St. Louis at least 3 times a

week for 6 months to give support and pray. My mother, siblings, his Aunt's

and Uncles, made trips and phone calls too numerous to count. After all this

support, prayer, and wonderful care

from St. Louis University Hospitals, died,

his body to weak to recover from 2 transplants to try a 3rd time, even though

he had agreed to try that too. In

the end, knew the fight was over, called in the Dr's, ministers,

families, and said " enough " . He died one day later. My

point of this letter is to honor 's courage. In his unrelenting,

heroic

battle, telling his mother and Dr's, " I want

to live " at one point where most of us had given up, and then living

another 3 months, he has drawn family members together to care more, forged a

bond with his mother and father that most can never attain. Left his brothers

Jake, and , with the ultimate example of how to live a life with the time

given to you, and left his grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends and

acquaintances with one final example of inspiration. Dying with dignity,

peace, and courage.

I am a very proud uncle of this terrific nephew. Thank

you , Ruth and , for this powerful lesson on love and

life.

I Love You,

Uncle Wayne

Rest in Peace , you were greatly loved by so many.

Barb in Texas