Texas - Fall 2025

She was herself everywhere she went Community and song followed on the heels of Mary Grace Baker. Wherever she had been, stories sprouted, singing praise of her spirit and faith. A man in Utah called Mary’s mother, Susan, just to tell her that after he had met her daughter, he rededicated his life to God. Mary changed his life. All around the country, the sheer force of Mary touched lives, even in the darkest of places–when Mary was in juvenile court, she rallied the other girls to join into a chorus, singing “Take the Shackles Off My Feet So I Can Dance.” Mary’s substance use disorder meant that she often found herself in the court system, hospitals, and treatment programs–some of the hardest places; places, by their nature, that punctuate the lowest moments of a person’s life. Yet Mary had a unique way to forge through these corridors of pain, and find joy and connection, uplifting those around her into a community of love and hope. 

Loving, energetic, creative, protective, prankster Bobby Barajas, remembered for his loving, kind, and humorous nature, was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. A sensitive heart coupled with a lively spirit made him a caring and compassionate friend, brother, and father. His passions included making everyone laugh, Milwaukee sports teams, carpentry, and most of all, his daughter Aneia. His siblings Mark and Natalia, as well as his mother Erica, recall Bobby being the life of the party, always at the center of the celebration, making lasting memories with his laughter and love.

Vibrant, charismatic, funny, family-oriented  Josh was funny, intelligent, charming, and hardworking. He loved all sports–especially playing disc golf and flag football in his free time–and he was a loyal fan of the Patriots, the Boston Celtics, and the Red Sox. When the game was on, he was very particular, wearing the same clothes, setting up the house just right, and having the perfect snacks at hand. His joy of sports was contagious, leaving a lasting imprint on his younger siblings who loved to share in his joy when his team won. His stepdad, Miguel, remembers watching the Patriots win with Josh, getting to see him completely lit up with passion and happiness. “I will never forget that,” Miguel recounts.

Blue-eyed, ambitious, loving jokester Marshall, the outgoing soul with the heart of a competitor, had high taste from even a young age. Both his birth family and chosen family delighted in his fun-loving, caring, adventurous side and were in awe of his ambition, drive, and modest intellect. Generous, dedicated, and sensitive to his core, his legacy is one of selflessness and determination. His mother Jackie, stepfather, Jim Washington, his partner Danielle, her three children Madison, Zoey, and Colton, his half-siblings, Haley, and Mitch, stepsiblings, Philip, and Jack, best friend Tre, and his dog Captain Rogers formed Marshall’s closest circle. 

Loving, smart, creative, hurt, hopeful Roxy was a radiant soul—beautiful and brilliant; a mixture of humor, creativity, and deep compassion. Roxy had an outrageous sense of humor and an artistic spirit that made her unforgettable. Despite her addiction, she never stopped loving, laughing, or trying to help others.

Smart, kind, funny natural musician Caleb Calvert, a well-spoken, empathic, and naturally talented musician with long, curly locks, was equal parts shy introvert and footloose adventurer. A fascination with history, a penchant for storytelling, and a creative spirit guided him. His mind reveled in stories of the past, and his fingers sought the company of any stringed instrument within reach. Older party guests, especially veterans, were often accosted by the curious Caleb, who was fascinated by their stories. Demonstrating loyalty and sympathetic nature beyond his years, he noticed everyone, stayed loyal, could fit in anywhere, and chose vegetarianism at age six, maintaining it long after. Caleb delighted in travel, visiting twenty countries and as many states, gaining certification to scuba dive, and visiting museums as he went. He was dedicated to his workplace, organized monthly movie nights, loved spending time with his family, and delighted in frequent trips to IHOP for pancakes and chocolate milk.

Free-thinker, creative, charismatic, intelligent, earthshaker As a young boy, Matthew loved learning magic. He was playful with a serious side that motivated him to expand his vocabulary and constantly seek new information, and he remained true to these qualities throughout his life. His wit, charisma, and beautiful smile and curls made him easily favored by family, friends, counselors, teachers, and parole officers alike. It also made it difficult for his mother, April, to stay mad at him.

Unafraid to be his true self Logan lived with courage, heart, and an adventurous spirit. He was kind, funny, and full of love; the kind of person who could light up a room with his handsome smile and make anyone feel like they belonged. He had a special way of connecting with people and was always willing to listen, never judging, and quick to offer love and support to anyone who needed it. Music was a huge part of who Logan was. He didn’t just listen to songs, he felt them. The lyrics and the meaning behind them spoke to his soul. He loved watching the Houston Astros, spending as much time as possible at the beach, catching sunrises and sunsets, and time with family and friends.

Smart, loving, funny, talented, connected to nature Kelly was 6’5,” so no one ever teased him about his name. He was ambidextrous–unless he was eating or writing, then he was left-handed–and was very good at sketching (even though he never thought so). He was a man of many skills and interests. If you wanted to know the best night for a meteor shower, how to grow strawberries and watermelons, animal caretaking, or who to pick for your trivia team, Kelly was the guy to ask.

Charismatic, conversationalist, and word lover Charming, silly, witty, and handsome in equal parts, Brandon was a natural “people person” with talent in getting out of even the stickiest situations. A lover of words and language, he worked puns, satire, and dark humor into a charismatic, enrapturing personality. Arizona sports teams, fantasy football, video games, and political interest demonstrated his competitive spirit. He loved trying new eateries, watching and interpreting movies, and time by the shore. Brazen and daring even as a toddler, he quickly embraced his gregariousness, often helping to set up his mother Lisa’s biology classroom before stepping up to teach whatever he knew to anyone who’d listen. His parents, best friends Briana, Nic, and Chelsea plus his former partner Cait, all knew him as a grammar-correcting, animal-loving, intelligent soul with charm and looks to spare.

Loving, humble, quiet, powerful, gone Though a quiet soul, Travis had an aura that drew people in. Despite this, he avoided the spotlight—even when it was well-deserved. “Travis was humble,” his mother Joanna said. “When he passed away, so many people told me he had opened his home to them or that he had helped them. But Travis never talked about it or wanted any thanks. It was just who he was.” 

“May you know love and share it with the world.” Cullen Logan was a kind and gentle soul, known for seeing the world through a lens of unconditional love. He was an easy child to raise, praised for his intelligence and kindness. From an early age, Cullen had a natural talent for singing, performing, and excelling in all things creative. Helping others and making a point of seeing the good in every person were the foundations of Cullen’s moral code. Cullen’s family have many fond memories with him. These include a trip to the beach, where Cullen, despite his dislike for it, fully participated in a baby turtle release. Another was when he bought appliances for his siblings when they purchased their first homes. These moments will be treasured forever by his family.

Smart, kind, generous, goofy, loved  A kind, protective older brother to sisters Colleen and Amy, Andy had a keen intellect, a unique sense of humor, and a full heart. His sister Amy recounts that Andy was her role model: “I always looked up to him, I felt he could do no wrong, and he always seemed brave.”

Loving, friendly, kindhearted, silly, animal lover Born with a unique look, including medium brown hair with blonde highlights, beautiful hazel eyes, and long lashes, Zarek was kind, empathetic, and loving from the start. Putting the needs of others before his own, he had a special gift for making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. The “life of the party,” his infectious laughter and warm hugs, brought light to the darkest room.

Well-spoken, kind best friend Malachi’s presence was unlike any other, and according to his sister Jaelyn, he was “the best person to be around, [and] the best person [she] knew.” No one could’ve guessed that such a shy kid would turn into the jolly jokester and shameless dancer he’d become. Laughter was his favorite language, and when accompanied with his unique smile and undeniable charisma, he was a true delight to be around. Though careful to bring strangers into his inner circle, those he trusted were gifted unparalleled loyalty and support. Jaelyn states that her brother would “give the shirt off his back” without a second thought.

Sweet, witty, big teddy bear, kind, charming  Joey had a unique charm: left-handed, towering in size but gentle in nature, he had striking honey-brown eyes and beautiful curls. He never raised his voice, never stayed angry, and always approached his mom with love. Even when he snuck out with her car, he made sure to fill up the gas tank.

Handsome, loved, creative, gentle, fun Growing up in Texas with his parents and his sister Nikki, Mickey was your typical American boy. He had a vivid and active imagination and loved the fictional worlds of superheroes. Mickey spent a lot of time drawing, and superheroes filled most of the pages in his sketchbooks. He loved giving his favorite drawings to his cousins as birthday gifts. As he got older, he developed a love for baseball, bikes, and skateboards, spending countless hours riding around his neighborhood and doing tricks on his bike and board. At the age of 14, he broke his arm in a skateboarding accident, but he never let that slow him down. 

Ambitious, smart, loving, loyal, funny Andron was one of four children and was very close to his three sisters, Ariana, Alyssa, and Aaliyah. Although he was the little brother to two of his sisters, he acted like he was the big brother of all of them, always protecting them and telling them what to do. The girls protected him too, cautioning him from his daredevil tendencies, though he rarely listened and would get himself into trouble, anyway. Andron and his family eventually took in his best friend, Ian, and he became like a brother. Even after Andron’s passing, Ian still lives with them as a bonus family member. Andron was so special to his family. A fond memory his mother, Brandi, recalls is his love for her cherry cheesecake. Every Thanksgiving, he begged her to make it for him, and she lovingly obliged.

Intelligent, hardworking, compassionate, brave, a leader For Nancy, there seemed to always be two versions of her former husband and soulmate, George-the George without drugs and alcohol, and the George with drugs and alcohol.

Hilarious, hero, honorable, brother, uncle, father Matthew Peyton had a unique tendency to turn life into music. Mundane moments were transformed into improvised songs he would sing out to whoever was there to listen. That was Matthew in a nutshell: quick-witted and warm-hearted. Whether serenading his family and friends or finding the humor in hopeless times, Matthew radiated joy. 

Loving, kind, adventurous, amazing, connected to nature As the youngest child in his family for quite some time, Mitchel was a natural entertainer. A cheeky smile paired with his quick wit captured everyone’s attention and kept it as long as he was in the room. His ability to make people laugh and feel special made him seem larger than life. The only thing larger than his magnetic personality was his love for those closest to him. “Mitchel was an amazing person,” his mother Lindsay said. “He loved his family and friends very much and would do anything for them.”

Brilliant, clever, empathetic, caring, fun  Cooper’s life was marked by challenges from the very beginning. Born addicted to heroin, he faced invisible disabilities that made everyday tasks a struggle. He required a lot of extra time and attention from his parents, who did their best to control his environment so he would be successful. Despite the obstacles he faced, Cooper persevered, his determination and resilience inspiring those who knew him. He was a bright light to those in his orbit. 

Fun, loving, energetic, caring, kind, son, brother, uncle The youngest of four sons, David was loved and adored by his three older brothers, Trey, Billy, and Jeff and his parents and grandparents. Handsome, full of life, love, and ambition, his love for his family came before everything else.

Funny, good-hearted, loving son, daddy, brother, uncle The third of four sons in the family, handsome, red-headed Jeff, was close to his brothers, Billy, Trey, and David. An excellent soccer player, he could also have been a comedian. He often had the family laughing until they cried. A practical joker, he once convinced three of his friends into dying their hair two different colors. His family also remembers Jeff entertaining the entire family with a life-sized chimp puppet he named Kurt that his parents bought for him at Disney. Jeff and Kurt were a hit in the Salinas household for years to come! 

Hilarious, persistent, beautiful, protective, deep soul Drew was an immovable force. An entity larger than life. At 6’4”, he and his huge grin could capture the heart of anyone he crossed paths with. He was a simple man with a deep well of compassion for others, and he always let his heart lead him, despite the consequences. An excellent example of his selflessness is the story of the time he and his mother, Angie, found his neighbor's mini horse being attacked by dogs. Drew didn’t think twice before jumping the fence and fighting them off. He then sat in the field and cried, holding the horse until it passed.

One of the best sons Kind, loving, and gentle, Cody was loved by everyone who met him. You could often find Cody outdoors, fishing, swimming, boating, and hunting, or spending time with his dog, Cali. When his mother, Teshia, thinks back to her favorite memories of Cody, they are times at their hunting lease when Cody was a child. She also has a fond memory of a time Cody was in Austin. He parked his truck in a parking garage and left it running with his dog locked in it. When he got to his truck, it was gone. Panicked for losing his dog, he looked around only to find he was in the wrong parking garage!

Funny, energetic, adventurous, entrepreneurial spirit, awesome dog dad.  Described by his mother as “your typical all-American teenager,” Cam had a family that loved and adored him unconditionally. He followed in every footstep of his older brother, Hayden, often pushing his buttons, which motivated Hayden to develop a lot of patience. Cam was often his mother’s “plus one” on work trips, traveling to various locations and making memories together that Becky still cherishes. Cam was smart, charismatic, handsome, and a gifted athlete excelling in soccer and becoming a state champion in hurdling. He also participated in the Junior Olympics in 2017. Cam’s best friend, Evan, was like a brother to him, and his constant companion was his dog, Bailey. 

Beautiful, loving, hopeful, dreamer, warrior Many called her Sher, but her mother, Valerie, knew her as Sher Bear, and she radiated beauty and a love for all things. She was a warrior and always defended the underdog, and she lifted others up. Sher was the most non-judgmental human, loving animals and people exactly as they came. She brought home every stray she encountered, and thanks to her efforts, her mother has four dogs and one cat, Hanalei. Sher begged for a cat for years, and though Valerie wasn’t a cat person, finding little Hanalei abandoned in a mud puddle felt like fate. From then on, Sher and Hanalei developed an unbreakable bond.

Beautiful, endearing, kind, athletic, hardworking. Bekah was a gorgeous, charismatic young woman who had a smile that lit up her entire face, and a fun-loving, exuberant personality that could win over even the most unpleasant skeptic. Her selflessness and passion for loving people were evident in the ways she showed up for not only her loved ones, but strangers as well. One of her most admirable qualities was her ability to make friends anywhere she went. She had an almost uncanny way of making people feel seen and cared for. Bekah was a welcoming person who always saw the best in people, even those who others had already written off.

Brave, loving, joyful, resilient, dedicated, badass Les was “a devoted father, a brave soldier, and a man who faced his struggles with courage,” his daughter, Camryn stated. A joyful spirit with an infectious goofiness, Les brought smiles and warmth to those around him, even as he quietly carried the heaviness of war and addiction.

Endearing, fearless, funny, loving son Xavier Tobin excelled equally in arts and in athletics. Football, basketball, and working out kept him active. He had a deep love and appreciation for music. Witty and courageous, he showed willpower to achieve anything he set his mind to. He was his mother’s best friend, only child, and her whole world. At eighteen, Krystal’s pride and joy had dreams of having a family of his own, and of a life achieving success as a personal trainer and fitness influencer. Instead, substance use disorder stole away his talent and determination.

Magnetic, confident, social butterfly Jesse was the life of the party, a magnetic dynamo that brought raucous laughter and energy wherever he went. He loved to dance, listen to live music, and bring people together. He adored the beach, dogs, and Eagles football, though he was born in California and lived in Texas. Confident and connected, Jesse lit up any room he was in, formed close bonds, selflessly served others, and showed heart in everything he did. The giving conscientious soul with a “rasta irie” spirit had close-knit ties with friends and family including his brothers Shannon and Jade, his parents Francine, and Ed, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law. His niece Piper Beverly and nephew Jace were nicknamed “PB&J” by their doting uncle Jesse.

Our baby boy, gone too soon, with all the hopes and dreams we had for him. From a young age, Matt stood out. He had a natural aptitude for music and athletics, and was curious, funny, confident, and determined. He played both tenor and alto saxophone and was a member of the Cedar Park High School marching band, who came in first in the state finals. That moment was made even more special when he shared the field with his oldest brother Sean, a student band director for a competing high school. Matt was also a talented runner and a member of the varsity cross-country team. Memories from these times, along with photos and letters from others, are kept in a wooden “memory box” that Matt’s uncle lovingly hand crafted. One favorite story told by friends involved Matt donning white, knee-high, high-heeled boots for a school video project and running in them without hesitation!