Loving, giving, friendly, polite, easy to love
One of five sons, Cyrus, known as TT, was goofy, giving and loving. He loved a muddy ride on his 4-wheeler and working on his Chevy 3500 truck, “The Beast,” while listening to 90s hip hop. A good athlete, he played football and baseball. As center for his high school football team, Cyrus helped lead his team to the playoffs for the first time in over ten years.
At least once a month, the family went camping with large groups of family and friends, where Cyrus enjoyed fishing and bon fires. He loved and admired his father, Derek, who he hunted and fished with. He was also learning the fine art of barbecuing from the master!
Cyrus’s older brother, Kodie, was his protector the minute TT was born. “Wherever Kodie was, Cyrus wanted to be,” his mom, Madonna, stated. They worked on cars together and went to the river every weekend. Elias was born when Cyrus was seven, soon followed by Jayden and Devon. A caring big brother, Cyrus walked his younger brothers to the park and surprised them with candy. Cyrus was also a devoted uncle to his only niece, Alessa.
Cyrus worked in construction with his dad building Amazon buildings, proudly pointing them out to others from the highway as he drove by. His DoorDash job was a good fit for his friendly, outgoing nature, allowing him to set his own schedule, meet new people and listen to music while driving.
Cyrus’s disease changed him. Unable to leave the house for very long because he was sick, he could also be moody. Arguments ensued about getting help and his parents spent thousands of dollars on treatment and hospital bills. His family didn’t want to leave him alone, afraid that he could overdose at any time.
Two years before his passing, Cyrus moved to Oklahoma living with his brother, Kodie. He planned to build his future there. The entire family felt helpless and worried about him. Every time the ringtone for Cyrus or Kodie rang, their hearts dropped, thinking the worst had happened. Eventually it did.
Kodie moved back to California after Cyrus’s passing. He couldn’t stay in the same environment where he lived with Cyrus. Cyrus’s loss also devastated his younger brothers. “If it wasn’t for our faith in the Lord, I’d probably not be ok,” Madonna stated. “I know he is in a better place and no longer suffering.” The family feels that God took Cyrus to save him. “He was so young and innocent he couldn’t be in such a dark world,” Madonna stated. His celebration of life, more of a worship service was overfilled with those who loved Cyrus.
Holidays are not the same and family pictures are incomplete. Though the Christmas tree is decorated with the same ornaments that Cyrus and each of his siblings were gifted each year since childhood, he is not there to enjoy them. His mom misses his goofiness, his squishy hugs, and his random phone calls asking her about adulting. His brothers miss sneaking into his room raiding his candy drawer and simply having him present.
Madonna is now speaking to students at the local high school to bring awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. She tells the story of Cyrus, a normal, happy kid whose life took a turn due to addiction. It’s a reminder that substance use disorder can affect anyone, completely altering lives forever.
Cyrus’s mother, Madonna Martin, provided the information for this narrative.
December 18, 1999-February 6, 2023-Age 23
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
