Kenneth (Ken) Magas
Ken Magas was born in Naugatuck, CT, and was a 30-year resident of Durham, NC. He lived to the age of 63. He was an avid participant in life. His gift of laughter and humbleness seemed to put everyone at ease. He was a model family member who set examples of caring and support for all he came in contact with. He had endeared himself to countless friends and was always looking for ways to help anyone in need.
He was often found in the midst of his woodworking shop, surrounded by clouds of sawdust. A skilled craftsman, Ken found peace and comfort in crafting functional conveniences, and continually improved his and his wife, Rita’s, personal surroundings.
In addition to woodworking, he also enjoyed reading, following Duke Athletics and most notably, the company of friends and family.
He loved to travel with his wife, family and friends. He would always come home with stories of special memories that made each particular trip memorable. His grandchildren referred to him as “Poppi,” a nickname that we all came to love and cherish. Ken gave so much to life.
Ken was a religious and compassionate man who would have been honored to know that his gift of sight has benefited another.
Monica Sue Martin
Monica Sue Martin was born January 5, 1976, the oldest of three, and the best sister her brothers could ask for. Although younger than she, brother Matt was her protector. To Junior, 13 years younger, she was his best friend and confidant.
She had big brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She was a loving daughter who always thought of others, and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. But most of all, she was a most dedicated mother, struggling to raise her children Maria, 6, and Aaron, 3, on her own.
She always volunteered to help with the PTA by creating baskets to be auctioned off for her daughter’s school, to filling a spot in the church play. She always made her children’s birthdays special with parties and treats for each child in the class.
She worked as a private duty CNA and loved her work and clients so much that she would plant flower gardens for her clients that loved flowers, and buy birdhouses for those who loved to watch the birds.
She always tried to find the good in people and never lost faith in them, when everyone else had given up hope on them. Her family will never forget her and will raise her children (who have her big brown eyes) to be as caring and compassionate as she was.
From her Mom, Dad, and Brothers who will always feel the pain of losing her, and from her children Mariah and Aaron, who call her their “Angel Mommy”, our love is eternal.
William Martin, Jr.
Dr. Reginald Martinuik
Donating his eyes was a natural extension of the way Reg routinely lived. He was generous, humble and consistently interested in the needs of others. He lived a sincere faith, had infectious enthusiasm for life, was a fine doctor and great friend to his patients, and a father who made his family his priority, and invested unreservedly in the lives of his children.
Reg’s faith was lived out daily. A portion of an essay written by his daughter reflects this. “I think the reason my dad (who is dying of cancer) can be so strong mentally and morally, is because of his spiritual strength. In everything he does, he tries to glorify God, and never doubts that God will take care of him. When my dad got cancer for the second time he had to sell his practice, which was only a year and a half old. He still lives a good, pure life that pleases God, even if he can’t work, and do what he loves. He still believes that God will take care of him and his family, through his sickness and death, which he faces bravely.”
He always enjoyed life with a reckless abandon, rollerblading down steep hills (children like ducklings behind him), parasailing, downhill skiing, water skiing, and camping with the boy scouts. He lived to see both his sons earn Eagle Scout. Reg had a wonderful sense of humor, with a positive can-do outlook, and thrived on implementing successful practical jokes (just ask anyone he worked with). Every day was an opportunity to enjoy a new adventure. He even presented his impending death as an “adventure” our family must (reluctantly) embark on.
Reg thoroughly enjoyed the practice of medicine and was meticulous in providing the best technology available, and thorough, knowledgeable care in an attitude of humility and genuine compassion. He was an excellent surgeon who loved his job and genuinely loved his patients. He did not battle cancer alone, even though he had to close his practice. He was encouraged and prayed for consistently throughout his illness by the patients he would loved to have continued to serve. Reg’s unfailing concern for others is best revealed by his last day of life when he thanked the nurses for repeatedly changing his hospital gown. He remained steadfastly concerned for others, whether serving as a physician or suffering as a patient.
Reg’s family has always been his priority throughout medical school, cancer research projects, and even as he practiced medicine. His oldest son recognizes his father as having been the most important influence in his life, and his youngest son notes that his father’s achievements taught him that you should never give up your goals, no matter what happens. Whenever the children had questions about a computer, black holes, geometry, geography, anything and everything, Reg would patiently and thoroughly answer every question. He was a walking encyclopedia, with a ready answer for anyone. Despite his illness, he inspired his children to pursue academic excellence, and persevere with unwavering faith, not in fickle outcomes, but in an unchanging God.
Reg’s investment in the lives of those around him will live on. We will always remember his sincere faith, his enthusiasm for life, his love for the practice of medicine, and his patients, his wholehearted devotion to his children, and his indelible investment in their lives. His life will always be a remarkable gift we will celebrate.
Donna MayoDonna was a friendly, outgoing person. She enjoyed dinners and parties, and being in a crowd. Anytime someone said “go” Donna was ready to go. She enjoyed going out for breakfast, lunch and supper. She also enjoyed shopping with the girls.
She also enjoyed doing ceramics and hand painting. This was her favorite hobby. She enjoyed watching the church softball team play, and loved to go to church. She was a member of the United Methodist Women’s Club, and sang in the church choir.
Donna enjoyed watching TV programs. Figure Ice Skating was one of her favorite pastimes. She loved to see the couples skate.
Donna worked at a local Day Care facility for a while, and also did some babysitting herself for a while. Later on, she began to work at G. R. Whitfield School in Grimesland. She did general office work and later on she became a teacher’s assistant. She worked at this school for fifteen years, up until she became disabled. She loved all the students at the school.
Donna loved life, and lived it to the fullest. She went out every Friday night with some of her close friends, and she always enjoyed being with her friends. Family and friends meant so much to her.
Sean Casey McCarty
My husband was Sean Casey McCarty. Everyone called him Casey. We shared a little girl, Sarah Grayson, and a little boy, Stephen Clay. They were the apples of his eye.
Casey was very much a country boy. His work and hobbies were one and the same. He started out commercial fishing with his parents and then moved on to farming. The experience he gained running farm equipment led him to running heavy equipment. Whether it was pushing dirt on a John Deere or towing a shrimp net behind his old wooden skiff, he was tickled to death. He also enjoyed hunting from time to time. He loved to hear those beagles run.
We are sad and lost without him, but at the same time touched that a part of him lives within someone else, and brings them sight.
I hope they can see God’s beautiful earth the way he did. I know I did him proud (by letting him be a donor).
Jan McClure
Jan was truly a “classy” lady. She was always there for anyone that needed her, and if one word could characterize her it would be “love.” Her fault, if it could be considered one, was that she loved so much. Wherever she was, there was laughter. She was so full of life and shared that with just about anyone.
I had the privilege of sharing 32 years of her life. It was an experience that changed me for the better, made me appreciate life more, and taught me things that I will remember forever. I am a better man for having her as a partner. Well respected, well thought of, and missed terribly. The fact that someone sees because of her donation would please her.
William (Bill) McClure, Jr.
Bill had a smile and a positive attitude that were contagious. He brightened each day with kindness and concern for every person he encountered. He was a loving husband, extraordinary father, devoted son, and steadfast friend.
He was a builder by profession and he loved his work, but he also loved life and the people in it. He had many accomplishments in his life, but he only cared about how he could help others achieve their goals.
Bill taught everyone he knew how to trust, how to have fun, and that unconditional love can help us through the toughest times. Because he chose to see the best in everyone, he helped us discover the best in ourselves.
We will miss him always, but we will carry his important life lessons in our hearts. We will celebrate Bill’s life as a life well lived, and we will honor his memory by having love and compassions for all the lives we touch.
Leslie M. McClure, wife
Jackson (Jack) McNemer
I am writing to tell you some things about my husband, Jackson McNemer. He was in a car accident in 1965 and remained in a coma for two and one half months. During this time, his heart stopped three times, but they brought him back each time. The third time the doctors gave up and told his parents that Jack was now in God’s hands, and not to expect him to live. They said he didn’t have a 50/50 chance.
After that experience, Jack totally lived for God. He loved God, our little dog named Queenie, and me. He loved to feed the wild ducks, and watch any kind of sports on TV. At one time, he coached Little League in the town where we lived.
Jack was gentle, kind and loving. He wore a brace on one leg because of the brain damage from the accident, and he also had polio when he was a kid. In spite of all this, he still took care of me when I had to have seven surgeries in the matter of four years.
He was God’s own special angel, and I think the world is a better place because of Jack. He would give the shirt off his back or food off his table, if someone else didn’t have for themselves, and he knew it.
Constance D. McNemer, wife
Myrtle Meade
My sister worked as a civilian for the Federal Government or more than 40 years, retiring as a Public Affairs Officer from Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal in Southport, NC. She worked in Wiesbaden, Germany for 10 years and also had work assignments in Paris, France, and Washington, DC. She was very proud that she once worked for Ret. Gen. Alexander Haig at the Pentagon.
She was very intelligent and thoroughly enjoyed working crossword puzzles, the harder the better. She was also gifted at writing and had numerous personal journals where she shared her innermost thoughts.
My sister left home when I was in the 8th grade. After she went to work, she paid for my first dental work, bought my first lipstick and my first nylon stockings.
When I was a senior in high school, she made sure I had a beautiful prom dress. I still remember the beautiful apricot strapless gown I wore. I could not have gone had it not been for her.
When my husband and I needed $1,000 to buy our first home that cost $7,500 in 1965, she loaned it to us with no questions asked. That was her way.
She was the most generous and loving person I have ever known. If you visited, she welcomed you, tried to feed you, and made sure you had something to take with you when you left, like a jar of her homemade jelly or a loaf of her banana bread. She especially loved making homemade biscuits for my granddaughters, whom she dearly loved. She never had any children of her own, but had a special bond with my daughters and granddaughters.
When I was asked about donating her eyes, there was no doubt in my mind that her wish would be to give the gift of sight to another person. She had spent her entire life giving
to others without expecting anything in return.
Everyone should be so lucky to have a sister like mine. My life without her will never be the same.
Jonas Charles Mefford
I am a nurse assistant, so I deal with death in the course of my work. The loss of my father has changed my outlook in that I try to get the most out of each day now, and work hard taking care of my family.
Daddy was a patient and loving father. He always took the time to play with me, and teach me about animals and nature. I grew up on a farm, so we walked most days, walking through fields and pastures, talking for hours. We went fishing a lot too.
When I was a child, we lived with my grandparents and my father worked at Vulcan Materials. Grandma was more or less my mother and I was always taken care of by her and my aunts, who helped a lot. Daddy always made sure, though, that I had clothes for school, and money.
His first job was in the coal mines in West Virginia (where he was born). He always took pride in anything he did, knew how long it would take to finish the job. He never left a job undone.
When I got married, I had his first and only grandchild, and he taught her the same things he had taught me. One amazing thing about him was he was a whiz in math, calculating, measurements, etc. He loved to build. He knew a lot about history. He also knew the Bible, and could explain anything, and show you the verses.
Daddy’s life was no bed of roses. He had a disease called Alcoholism which started when he was eighteen years old and continued until he had his stroke. I tried to get him to stop, but only he could do that. The saddest thing is it took a tragedy to stop him, which cost him his life. Thank God for His grace, because Daddy got saved on his death bed. One day I’ll see him again and he will have a new body with no more worry and no more alcohol.
I hope my Father’s eyes gave someone sight. He would have wanted that. He told me to donate his body to science. I miss him a lot.
Rebecca Renee Mefford Dudley
Allyson (Katie) Michael
I called her Katie, but her Daddy called her “Dumplin.” Katie had two brothers, Owen, who is almost 16, and Seth, who is almost 9. She also had more relatives and friends than you could count, and they all loved her as much as we did. She was our precious little girl. She was only 13 years old when she left us. She came into this world with little hope of staying very long, but she was a fighter, and fought against all odds to make it. With God’s grace and lots of love, she grew stronger and more beautiful with each passing day.
Katie gave unconditional love to all who came into her life. When people saw her, they always remarked on what beautiful eyes and lashes she had. Everyone fell in love with her. Although she could not speak, she used her eyes and her little coos to let you know what made her happy and what didn’t. One thing that always made her laugh and smile was hearing her brothers getting into trouble. Her grin with her crinkled up nose could melt your heart and make a bad day seem a little better. She made you put your life in perspective.
She loved sweet treats – pudding and chocolate candy were her favorites. She also loved her Granny Kepley’s mashed potatoes. Music was one of her favorite things to fill her day. Percy Sledge and Vince Gill were two of her favorite singers. We will always remember Katie and the love she gave us, and we hope this small gift she gave will be able to help someone along the way.
Though she is gone from us now, she is our Star and shines for us, even in our darkest times. Her love and memory will always be with us, and she will have a special place in our hearts forever.
Hadley David Moore
I really miss my Hadley. He meant the world to me. Twenty-two years of love – I couldn’t have asked for more.
Hadley was a warm guy with lots of friends. He was a sweetheart. I’m going to miss our fishing trips the most.
Goodbye, my fishing partner. Rest in peace, and I will see you on the other shore.
Love, Helen
Adam Motsinger
Dear Adam, words cannot express how much you are missed. We know you were here for only a short while, but in that short time, you gave us so much. The love and appreciation for life that you left in our hearts is immeasurable.
You touched the lives of many and in so many ways. We are so proud to know that in your short stay with us, you were able to help so many others.
Since you were here for such a brief time, we can only envision what you may have become. A little league player standing proudly on first base, or a doctor, lawyer, or a winner of souls. God had other plans for you, though, little angel. And this is okay with us, because we know you are in a heavenly place.
We can only imagine what you may be doing there. Are you playing with Jesus and all the other children? Are you adding flowers to the Master’s bouquet? Or maybe you are placing stones in our mansion to be. Whatever you are doing, we are comforted to know that you are in the loving arms of Our Father.
We will never forget you little one, and we know that one day we will hold you again in our arms. Thank you for allowing us to be your Mommy and Daddy, if only for that short while. We miss and love you. You will always be “Our Little Angel.”
Love, Mommy and Daddy
Ronald Kenneth (Ron) Myers
Ron was born, reared and educated in Pennsylvania. Following high school graduation, he joined the Marine Corps and served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a radar technician. Ron and I married after he finished his military career. We lived in Pennsylvania where we both attended college before moving to North Carolina, where we lived until this death.
His last career was a rural mail carrier. He enjoyed the time alone listening to classical music or Public Radio while driving his route. He developed many friendships with people on his route, especially the elderly and shut-ins. For several years, Ron served as a guardian ad litem for neglected and abused children in the court system. He was a fierce advocate for children who were hurting.
Ron’s favorite relaxation was reading. His choice of reading material covered the spectrum from scientific publications to science fiction. No day was complete for him until he had learned some new piece of information. He also enjoyed the NC Symphony and other symphony concerts, visiting museums and historical sites. Ron did not enjoy crowds or even large groups. It is a joy to hear people recount some one-on-one conversation they had with Ron, and something they learned from that conversation.
I have come to realize that in addition to sharing his knowledge and challenging me intellectually, Ron’s greatest gift to me was helping me learn to be alone without being lonely. He encouraged me to take that time to develop new interests.
Ron was an organ donor all his adult life. When he developed cancer he was very sad about not being able to be an organ donor, until he learned he could donate his eyes. It was important to him that he could make this final gift to someone.
