Bright, loving, kind, thoughtful, brilliant
Liam was a born empath, caring deeply about others since his early childhood. He had a sense for when people felt upset and always tried to help them. He was compassionate and loved to provide for others. His mother Fran said, “He had such a large and caring heart that I know whoever received his donor heart will have a long and loving life.”
As a child Liam enjoyed building complex creations with Legos, some builds taking days to complete. He rode his bike every day, even when he was sick. Liam found solace in reading and writing and loved to gift his writings to his loved ones. He was also a talented musician. He would hear a song he liked, listen to it on repeat, then pick up one of his guitars and sit with the song until he mastered it.
Liam had a brother, Coen, three years younger; the two of them were inseparable growing up. Fran remembers when Liam was five, the boys took baths together and would huddle under their towels and talk. One day Liam said, “You’re the best brother in the whole wide world,” Coen responded, “And you’re the best Liam in the whole wide world.” They remained close throughout Liam’s entire life. As a teenager when Liam got his license, the first thing he did was take his brother out driving all day and to visit their grandparents.
Liam loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed their annual summer trips to the hot springs where he would play with his cousins. He also loved Christmas Eve dinners with his grandparents. Later in his life, Liam became interested in world events and cooking and amazed his brother and mom with his knowledge and cooking skills. Liam was a quick learner and did well throughout his school years. He had dreams of going to college to become a writer.
His mother said in the last months of his life, when he was receiving treatment, he still helped others. A woman in treatment with Liam told Fran what an inspiration Liam was to her and how he sat with her through some rough times. She said that he is one reason she made it to 120 days without drugs.
Fran said it was hard to trust Liam when he was in active addiction, to see him suffer, isolate himself, and lose interest in things he used to love. Even throughout his active addiction though, he was kind to his family and always helped them around the house. More than anything, Fran misses Liam’s big smiles and dimples, his laugh, the smell of his clean hair, his long hugs, the sound of his voice, and the nights they spent sitting together on their back porch.
Liam’s mother, Fran, provided information for this narrative.
August 28, 2003 – January 16, 2023-Age 19
Portrait Artist: Theresa Clower
Narrative Writer: Victoria Estes
