California - Fall 2022

Beach Lover, pizza, family Tyler was extremely loving and kind. He loved animals and enjoyed doing things to help his family. As a child Tyler, his parents, and his older brother Travis all had fun times together. After baseball games, their dad, George, would pile them in the back of his pickup truck and take them for ice cream. In summers, they went to amusement parks, Atlanta Braves games, and to a lot of church-sponsored activities. The extended family gathered for birthdays and holidays, and the boys never passed up an opportunity to go to their grandparents’ house. Tyler’s mom, Peggy, said, “I must remind myself that as difficult as it was at times, my kids had a good upbringing and a good life. They had two parents at home who loved them, and wonderful grandparents, friends, cousins, and church members. It makes you wonder why things go bad.”[...]

Loving, carefree, fun, athletic, smart Described by his mother, Brandy, as an easy, fun, and energetic kid and her “little sidekick,” Jason was creative and enthusiastic about life. He ran track and played football and basketball, but his favorite sport was baseball. Jason’s dad, Greg, was his baseball coach. Jason’s sister, Mea, joked that she grew up at Belpassi baseball field. [...]

Brave, charismatic, super-smart, bossy, loyal With long, lion-like hair, a 5’11” frame, and an authentic, charismatic personality, Stevie energized any room he entered. People were drawn to him. His “uniform” of choice was a long black tee and Levi’s, accentuated by various shoes from his extensive collection. At home, he would relax in his basketball shorts and binge-watch television series with his mother, Stephanie, and sister Kalli. [...]

Goofy, determined, loving, compassionate, best friend Jason was funny, caring, and compassionate. He was also a wild child – the kid that took every dare. His friends looked up to him and followed his lead. Jason was impulsive and got into trouble in school. It was a huge accomplishment for him to persist to graduation. Jason then went to Orange Coast Community College, where he pursued a business degree. He eventually transferred to Cal State, Fullerton. He only had two more semesters to achieve his bachelor’s degree, but his addiction took over. [...]

Courageous, family-oriented, strong, loving Loud, handsome, and boisterous, with a brilliant smile, everyone knew when Anthony entered a room. He loved his family and was close to his nephews and sisters Alecs and Savannah. Anthony moved in with Savannah and her boyfriend, Ryan, when he was 16. They did everything together. It was a safe environment, and they offered Anthony good advice. [...]

Loving, happy, adventurous, ambitious, kind, humble, big heart Imagine someone who comes into a room and literally brings happiness with them; that was Arnold. He was friendly and bubbly and had a huge heart. Not wanting to raise her infant son in an abusive relationship, Arnold’s mother, Graciela, credits him with giving her the courage to leave when he was six months old. It wasn’t until he was 14 that Arnold found out his stepfather Jorge was not his biological dad. He took it well because he was so loved and happy with the family he had. [...]

Athletic, vibrant, skilled, joy-bringer Trevor hit the ground running as a baby and never stopped. He was crawling at six months, walking at 10 months and by one year he was running. Trevor was kind, smart, witty, and charismatic. His dark hair and large blue eyes stood out, as did his welcoming smile. He was friendly, outgoing, and inclusive. He was known for his wonderful bear hugs and for torturing people with his ridiculously bad dad jokes, one of his trademarks.[...]

Intuitive, conscientious, witty, inspiring, poetic, warm Kyle was born into this world with an old soul and a young spirit. As a child, he possessed infinite amounts of energy, always getting into things and learning quickly how to do things for himself. He didn’t speak until the age of three when he said to his mother, “You know, Mom, there are other worlds.” His mother, Robin, says she truly believes he was from another world. As a young boy, Kyle developed a keen and witty sense of humor that always kept his friends and family laughing. He was very observant and had a knack for being able to sense other people’s feelings and tune into them, which made people feel understood and safe around him. His lifelong best friend since kindergarten, Travis, said that Kyle had an uncanny ability to understand things that others didn’t. [...]

Big-hearted, creative, complex, funny, animal lover Jessica was a loving person who was extremely dedicated to her family and friends. She left a lasting impression on everyone she loved and truly wanted the world to be a place of love and acceptance. Of all the people she loved, she had the most special bond with her brother James. They were known as “two peas in a pod” throughout their childhood, a closeness that never wavered throughout their lives. Jessica also loved her younger sister Samantha, whom she became closer to as they grew up. [...]

Beautiful, resilient, smart, loving, talented, thoughtful, funny, strong, son Eli had a warm, compassionate heart, a beautiful smile, and welcoming eyes. He loved animals and music and was strong in his faith. Eli’s parents separated when he was three; by 10, his dad was no longer in the picture. His mom, Perla, kept him active and surrounded him with good role models. Eli loved his family, was close to his mom, and looked up to by his cousins. Perla said, “We talked every single day. He was a mama’s boy.”[...]

Artistic, Loyal, Free Spirit, Kind Jessica and her mother, Cheri, had a special, indestructible connection. There was a high degree of trust, friendship, and unconditional love between them. Jessica was 18 months old when her mother met Steve. It took some time for Jessica to warm up to him, but then it developed into a nurturing father-daughter relationship that lasted throughout Jessica’s life. His loving nickname for her was “Squirt.” Jessica was a typical child. She took singing lessons and loved to draw. Her favorite movie was Lion King. Steve has fond memories of singing “Can you Feel the Love Tonight” with Jessica.[...]

Loving, funny, kind, honest, strong Rafael was a sweet kid, loved by everyone, especially his father Rafael Gonzalez Sr. who was his first best friend, and his two older sisters Brianna and Rebecca. As a child, he was diagnosed with ADD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder and was prescribed medication by his pediatricians. Rafael never liked the way they made him feel, so as a teenager he stopped taking them. [...]

He loved wholeheartedly. Sky had a huge heart. He was a loving son, father, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend. He cared so much for his daughter Marissa, now six. He couldn’t be with her most of her life because he was in prison, but he deeply wanted to be there for her and to be a good dad. He loved Marissa’s mother, Maddie, and loved his own mother, Traci, more than anything in this world. Sky was a momma’s boy, and even had a tattoo that said it. He loved all his cousins but had a special sibling-like bond with Autumn, Meghan, James Jr., and Ricky. Sky’s eventual life goal was to be in California with his entire family.[...]

Beautiful, energetic, loving, giving, determined Joey’s parents remember him as loud and hysterical, with lots of energy. After a long, exhausting day at Disneyland, he was the one who wanted to know what came next. Joey was mischievous. He put soap in his little brother’s spaghetti or put Cheetos into his sibling’s noses or ears when they were sleeping. And there was the time that he changed the password on his dad’s phone and put a screensaver image of a little kid with green slime coming out of his nose. Despite his dad’s intentions to reprimand him for it, he would soon laugh right along with the charismatic Joey. [...]

Unique, vibrant, hilarious, loving, honest Karli was a kind, smart, courageous girl, who dressed in funky, colorful outfits with hair to match. She had a passion for animals, preferring to spend time with them over most people. Karli had just graduated from Animal Behavioral College and was starting a dog training business. She already had business cards made. She was passionate about animals living healthy lives. Karli and her dog also had a small business called “Finlee and Me” that made nutritious treats. [...]

Sensitive, hilarious, bright, explorer, troubled In terms of language, Jake was a late bloomer, not speaking until he was about 18 months old. “Then he spoke in full sentences,” his mother Kristy recalls. “It was in keeping with his personality that he didn’t do things until he was ready to do them perfectly!” He was smart, musically talented, an avid reader, and had a sophisticated and dry sense of humor. Jake had a massive vinyl collection, with hundreds of albums of every genre, all stored carefully in alphabetical order. He always had a book nearby. David Foster Wallace was among his favorite authors. [...]

Heart-centered, generous, seeker, loyal, suffering As a kid, Sage was outgoing, joyful, charismatic, and very verbal. People were drawn to him. He expressed interest in people and always helped them to be their best. “He was a pure soul,” his mom, Robin, said. “And gorgeous.”[...]

A blessing to all who knew him As a young child Steven, also affectionately known as “Boots” in the family, loved Thomas the Tank Engine and was a train fanatic. He also loved Dora the Explorer and her furry monkey side-kick Boots, which is where Steven got his nickname. Steven’s brother Zach predicted Steven’s birth at his grandmother’s funeral when he was just eight. He said, “Mom, don’t worry. When God takes one, God leaves one.” One month later, she was pregnant with Steven. [...]

Creative, giving, loving, kind, talented Often joking and laughing, Michael was lighthearted with an infectious giggle. His sister Kylie said, “You wouldn’t think that a grown man would have a giggle, but my brother did!” Most things came easily to Michael; he was good at any hands-on or athletic task. It was frustrating for him that academics were difficult, or it could have been that a teacher told him he wasn’t capable, and he took it to heart. “He made us proud,” his dad said. “Even though he struggled, he finished high school.” [...]

Outgoing, playful, beautiful, and fearless Melanie was an outgoing and fearless child. At four years old, she started going off the high dive. She started cheerleading at five and was a cheerleader all throughout school. She loved public speaking and acting and would try anything once, like doing the Jitterbug, for a dance performance. [...]

Ambitious, curious, thoughtful. brilliant, intense With his shaggy hair, welcoming smile, and infectious laugh, Alexander was an active, inquisitive boy. Driven by his interest in the Civil War, the family attended reenactments and, for three years in a row, they went to World War Brick, a Lego enthusiast event. He envisioned himself being a Director for the Smithsonian, where he could pursue his love of history and historical events. [...]

Kind, caring, charismatic, athletic, loving, loyal to family Her mother, Shawn, described Candice as caring and determined with “the spirit of 10 wild horses.” A positive thinker, she valued family, honesty, hard work, and freedom. She was very protective of her three younger siblings, especially her brother with cerebral palsy. She worked diligently to overcome her learning disability and never gave up. An athlete, Candice was an all-star pitcher, passionate about softball, and earned a scholarship to San Diego State. [...]

Loving, compassionate, empathetic, dedicated, beautiful & brave Natalie was a caring person, always radiating good energy and cheering everyone up. “She was extremely in tune with people,” her mom, Deanna said. “She had a kind smile and gave the best hugs.” Natalie would do anything to make peace between people and was an excellent listener. She was an amazing daughter, sister, and mother. She was loyal and present with her family, especially her mother and her two children, Tyson and Gracie, who were her entire world. [...]

Courageous, loyal, tenacious, resilient, loving Mikey was an extremely loyal person, especially to his family. He made a point of being at family gatherings and emotionally supporting his mother and sisters. Mikey stood firm in his beliefs and stood up for anyone, especially his loved ones. He had a strong sense of integrity and loyalty and wouldn’t give up on the people he cared for. He enjoyed spending time with his sisters and their kids. Hiking, or going to the park and carrying his nephews whenever they were tired. Mikey stood 6’0 with broad shoulders and a sturdy athletic build, so it was easy for him to carry the little ones. His sister says that his size also meant that he gave the best hugs. [...]

A life like no other, fully lived, though short An only child and first grandchild, Daniel was a rock star in the family. He was everyone’s little kid, light and warm with a loving energy. Until fifth grade, Daniel was the ideal student, a “brainiac” as his dad Jaime put it. He also won attendance and principal’s awards. In sixth grade, something changed. His interests went beyond what school was teaching. He wanted to go deeply to the core and meaning of things, to dissect, not learn by rote. [...]

Empathetic, resilient, naturally talented, undervalued, powerful Sarah was multi-talented. She played the piano and had an amazing singing voice. Biracial and adopted by white parents in Texas as an infant, she struggled to figure out who she was. “She wanted to live her blackness out loud, and it wasn’t possible,” her friend and mentor Kristy said. [...]

Loyal, caring, compassionate, funny, quick-witted Rhonda was a unique, witty, and outspoken woman. She told stories with dramatic emphasis, was funny, and was loyal to the people she loved. Rhonda was passionate about caring for others, especially animals. Frequently, Rhonda would put the needs of others in front of her own. When she was younger, she moved in with her mother and cared for her until her mother passed away. Later, Rhonda moved in with her grandmother to care for her while she was in hospice. [...]

Witty, smart, funny, caring, lovable Fernando was shy, but also quick and funny; he could make people laugh the entire day. He was into rap music, blasting it from the shower loud enough for neighbors to hear the cussing in the songs, much to his mother’s dismay. He played flag football as a kid and liked the Raiders, though his mom was a Niner’s fan. His Uncle got him into boxing and he and his mom watched boxing when it was on television. Fernando was academically adept. He was always in the advanced classes and easily passed tests, without studying. He looked forward to getting his standardized test scores, as he would always do very well.[...]

Authentic, charming, kind, beautiful, talented

Growing up, Dylan lived with his mom Cindy and his older brother Christian, who Dylan became close with in his teenage years. In 2017, his family took a month-long trip to South Africa together, a cherished memory for his mother as she and Dylan grew even closer on that trip. Dylan and his father also got the pleasure of bungee jumping off the highest bridge you can jump from while there.

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Brilliant, inquisitive, empathetic, compassionate, helpful, talkative Tyler was intelligent, inquisitive, and had mild Asperger’s. When he was young, he was obsessed with brooms and vacuums and later with pirates and pirate costumes. When Tyler was 18 months old, the family was getting pictures taken at Sears, which required walking by the vacuums. The only way to get Tyler to be in the picture was to bring a vacuum cleaner into the room! He proudly stood with it, and it is now a cherished photo.[...]

Kind, humble, funny, musically talented Nicknamed by his friends as the “White Jimi Hendrix” because of his talent on the guitar, Kyle’s musical interests were varied. They included newer musicians, but also early blues greats like Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, all of whom Kyle was able to see live. Kyle fell in love with Bisbee, Arizona, home of the music festival Blues in Bisbee and one of his favorite comedians, Doug Stanhope.[...]

Passionate, competitive, funny, intelligent, spirited Cameron was funny, sassy, a risk taker and liked to be right. He was intelligent and competitive and involved himself in whatever he did 100 percent. An entrepreneur at an early age, he went door to door selling items from a catalog, making a lot of money. He was also involved in local children’s theatre and in musicals such as Stuart Little and The Jungle Book. Cameron loved playing video games and had a passion for golf, which he started at 10 and played through high school and college. [...]

Huge heart, most generous, loyal friend, talented, missed beyond measure Harley was funny, loved to make people laugh, and was very generous. Two years apart, he and his brother, Cash, did everything together. They were “brothers in arms” and had the same interests. Harley played soccer and was a very talented artist and tagger, but what he was passionate about was motocross. Introduced to it by his father, Chris, he started riding at seven. He and Cash, and the family, practically lived at the track. After his parents’ divorce, the boys initially lived with their mom, but then moved in with their dad, where they were closer to the track and motocross friends. They got as much track time in as possible because they both wanted to be professional racers. [...]

Inspiration to many, his legacy lives on Geoff was loved and adored from the moment he was born. Adopted at birth, his parents were in the delivery room and at the hospital every day for the two months the three-pound, premature Geoff was in the NICU. He ended up being 6’1”, strong, healthy, and gorgeous. From the start, Geoff was sensitive, engaging, kind, compassionate, and fun-loving. [...]

Christian had a presence that was palpable. Besides his good looks, 6’2” frame, striking green eyes, and athletic physique (some say a cross between Tom Brady and Brad Pitt) he had a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh, and an intelligent and caring demeanor. Christian exuded a confident aura that attracted everyone as soon as he came into a room.[...]

Michael, known as “MT” or “MT-400” to his friends, was renowned for his athleticism and for being supportive of others both on and off the field. He received many athletic awards in three sports: football, basketball, and track. His coaches lauded him for his friendly attitude, strong work ethic, and for inspiring teammates and coaches alike. Known as the best defender in the Los Padres League, MT was confident, kind and the one to show up first when someone needed help.[...]

Exuberant, sentimental, joyful, loving, fearless Since the day Jacob was born, he was loved and adored by all. He was a sweet, adorable ball of energy with a magnetic personality, traits he carried through his entire life. He was very kind and affectionate and loved caring for his friends and loved ones. He was extremely passionate about his family and living life in the moment. His mother Geralyn recalls he was never afraid to go after what he wanted and that he had a genuine zeal for life.[...]

Vivacious, adventurous, fearless, happy, troubled “Bobby was literally the sunshine for me,” his mother Tisa said. “And it wasn’t just me; that was true for the entire family.” Bobby was the firstborn and was close to his sister, Nina, and brother, Noah. His parents divorced when he was 13. Later, when his mother remarried, he had another sister, Lila, 17 years younger than he was. Lila talks about Bobby often and deals with the pain of losing him by riding horses.[...]

Creative, eclectic, loving, unique, spontaneous Alex was tall and striking with engaging energy. They reveled in attention and enjoyed performing in their band in Los Angeles, modeling, and studying Cybersecurity at college. They wanted to be famous. But mostly they craved connection, spontaneity, and growing into their unique beingness. They were a world traveler, living in Switzerland as a youngster, and traveling back and forth to Europe at various times. Travel gave them a broader sense of the world from an early age. [...]