Bryan Caiazzo
When my father was diagnosed with cancer it was a surprise. I never thought that it would really be cancer that would claim his life. I had six months to spend time with him and reconnect with him. In the end it went so fast. I got the call from the hospital on Labor Day 2006 letting me know that he had just passed. No matter how prepared you think you are for the inevitable you never really are. The Eye Bank called shortly after the hospital. It helped me absorb what was happening. The donation allowed my father and me to help others even after death. When I was answering the questions about my father’s life I was so proud that he would be helping others see again.
When I think of my father, I think of his baby blue eyes and I can’t help but look in the mirror and see those same eyes looking back at me because my eyes are just as blue. We always had that in common. My father always tried to see the good in people in his life and it is nice to know that he is now helping give that gift to others. My wishes for the families of those who have received help from the Eye Bank is this – when I would look into my father’s eyes I would see hope; hope for my future, hope for his. I wish you the same visions!
William Calhoun
The most important things in Bill’s life were his Lord, home and family.
Bill was a devoted NASCAR fan. He loved Monday Night Football. Fishing was his passion. As a child growing up in Florida there was always a place to fish. He fished every day on his way to and from elementary school. Some days he did not get to class and often was late. As an adult we went on camping/fishing vacations with his parents in south Florida. After retirement he was always on the river or sound or ocean catching striped bass.
Bill rode a big Harley-Davidson FLT motorcycle. He attended Bike-Week and Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, Florida every year for 30 years or more. For the past ten years he traveled to South Dakota to attend Sturgis Bike Rally every August. There were charity runs for children at Christmas. We had wonderful bike vacations from the Florida Keys to Bar Harbor, Maine and the mountains of North Carolina and West Virginia.
Therion D. Carr
Therion D. Carr was a kind and gentle man who was active in his church and was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need. T.D., as he liked to be called, was also well known for his jokes and funny sayings. His humor was his greatest asset. Some of T.D.’s favorite hobbies included Duke basketball, NASCAR, fishing, and cooking a pig Carolina style. T.D. leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, four children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. We miss him greatly.
Karson Victoria Carroll
Karson was the consummate butterfly - flitting from one flower to another with boundless enthusiasm and a divinely inspired energy. Loving, kind, and compassionate, she was always eager to share her beautiful and contagious smile with others. When she entered a room, everyone noticed and immediately embraced her spontaneity and outgoing personality. An honor student, Karson served on the Student Council and was a member of the Beta Club and other school organizations. She played on the South Caldwell Lady Spartan Varsity Basketball Team in Hudson, NC, but never allowed athleticism to displace her glowing femininity - complete with carefully applied makeup, colorful clothing, and brilliant feathers. Her interests were eclectic and so was her love of music. Genres were not as important to her as was the lyrical message. Her soft heart was readily visible, as she listened and sang her favorite songs, hour after hour.
Although the tragic loss of Karson will affect us for the rest of our lives, her memory accompanies us throughout each day. She speaks in sweet whispers of the wind, the sun bursting through a cloud-filled sky, rainbows after a storm, and the gentle voices of family and friends remembering her. Our prayer is that her life will continue to positively impact this world in which we live. In Christ’s love, we will someday be reunited with her, forever.
Reneé Carter
Reneé loved animals; she’d owned several cats and dogs in her lifetime. She championed the plight of the helpless and defenseless. As a thirteen-year veteran elementary school teacher, Reneé worked hard to ensure that her at-risk students would receive a quality education. Family and friends were her life; Reneé loved people and life.
James Todd Cassell
He was a working big systems IT Analyst – an icon and legendary. He died suddenly at the age of 63 of congestive heart failure. He was also a life long sailor (and an ice hockey player his first 50 years).
He left behind two children and the love of his life, Aila Erman. He was a resident of Tierra Verde, FL in the Tampa Bay area.
Dennis Michael Cavanaugh
It is an honour to have the opportunity to tell you about Mike. He was born in Kirkland, WA on June 28, 1943. He loved to live, and lived to love. His first love was for his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. His second love was his wife, and last but not least, his family and friends. He was a caring, giving, compassionate person, a good listener, humble, and down-to-earth. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved all the handiwork of the Lord: sunrise and sunset, beautiful flowers, birds, the mountains, rain, snow, the ocean, the smell of spring in the air, and rivers. Yes, he loved life.
In his earlier years, he and his brother Bill played in a band. Mike played the drums, and on one occasion, he played with ZZ Top. He liked all kinds of music except rap. He played the guitar for fun, but he never mastered the banjo.
As the old saying goes, he wore many hats. He was called dad, daddy, father, stepdad, papa, Papa Mike, grandpa, Mike, and friend. He earned each of his titles.
During the 1990s he raced the NASCAR circuit on the west coast, driving car #11. He was known as the Southern Gentleman, and he won several trophies. He was a well-rounded individual. He had worked with the railroad in Alaska, drove a semi, worked in a machine shop, taught auto mechanics, managed motels, and worked in Human Resources and Accounting at a battery company. He loved NASCAR racing, professional boxing, and NFL football. He was a member of Dayspring Baptist Chapel in Dobson, NC, and a member of Agape Riders, a local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
In June, 2003, he rode in the Kyle Petty Charity Ride. A local newspaper, The Mount Airy News, published an article about the ride. The article was unique because of his desire to be a part of the ride. He was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in February of 2000. The Lord had blessed him with a healing of inoperable cancer. It was his desire to give back to others for his blessing of healing. He rode from California to Daytona Beach, FL, and then on to North Carolina. Richard Petty autographed the gas tank on his black Harley Davidson on his birthday, before he rode with the other bikers around Daytona Speedway. That was an exhilarating experience for him, and a dream come true.
Mike met his last wife, Nancy, in December, 2002. They became friends, fell in love, and were married on September 4, 2004. In January of 2005 the cancer became active again. He was a cancer fighter and went through many cancer treatments. He never complained about his health. He worked until June 1, 2006. On October 5, 2006, he went home to be with the Lord. Even in death he still gave. Two recipients of his eyes can now see; Mike can too, in heaven! Yes, he did love life, and he loved to live. He lives on in the hearts, minds, and memories of his family and friends. He was a blessing, and now you know how we were blessed by knowing him.
L. Barbara Clyburn
L. Barbara Clyburn was a class act. She always gave of her time and resources. She loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. Barbara was involved in community and church organizations. She will be missed by many people.
We love you Granny and Mama.
Claysie and Braxton
Christopher (Chris) Heath Conley
Christopher was a wonderful son, brother, and friend. He spent most of his short life helping others. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. When he was younger, he spent most weekends at his motocross races. He liked nothing better than riding his motorcycle. If he could not ride it, he was riding his bicycle over homemade jumps in our garden. He usually placed first, second, or third in his races. He placed second in the southeast circuit at the end of his season. During one race he wrecked, and broke his collarbone, and messed up his back, and his racing career was over. I had never seen anyone so sad after he found out he could not race anymore, but he made use of the rest of his life.
It is hard now that he is gone, but we know he is in a better place. When we were asked if we would like to donate his eyes, we knew Chris would want us to. Like I said, he was always helping people in his life, and by donating his eyes, he can even help people in death.
We love you Chris.
Lindsey Connelly
Lindsey Connelly entered the world on February 4, 1991, a happy, healthy child. She grew up loving to do all the things kids love to do – playing outside, riding horses, doing crafts, being with family and friends. At age 8, in 1999, she was diagnosed with brain cancer – a day that changed her life forever.
The surgery to remove her tumor left her completely blind and severely disabled from the neck down, unable to walk or complete most daily functions independently. She lost no cognitive function however. And she was always aware of how her life had changed.
Lindsey never gave up hope for her life. Nor did she ever become embittered about her many losses. She was often described as a people magnet or a social butterfly. She loved being with friends – and most of all family – especially her two sisters and one brother.
Lindsey served as National Easter Seals Youth Ambassador two years ago and had the time of her life traveling the country with her mother and sharing how Easter Seals had affected her life.
Her cancer returned in February of 2006. One of her last wishes was that her eyes be donated – that others may see. Lindsey rarely complained of her blindness. She often talked of her gratitude that her blindness had taught her to see with her heart. And see with her heart she did. She loved all fully and freely – and taught everyone in her life about living with hope, courage, humor and love.
When Lindsey’s cancer returned, she received hundreds of letters from all over the country, expressing to her how she had touched others, often radically changing their lives.
Jacob Daniel Cotten
December 23, 1985 – September 20, 2006
Jacob was born at 9:41 p.m. on December 23, 1985 (our Christmas baby). He spent the majority of his life living in Chatham County. He enjoyed baseball and football, and was a talented artist. Jacob had a wonderful sense of humor and brought much joy and laughter to his family and friends. Jacob loved everyone and everyone loved him. He had a heart of gold and was a wonderful son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to all. Jacob had always dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer. He would often stop to help folks on the side of the road who had some kind of trouble or needed help in changing a flat tire. He chose law enforcement because he truly wanted to help people. Jacob was also a volunteer fire fighter with the White Cross Volunteer Fire Department and the Snow Camp Volunteer Fire Department. He was also involved with the Pittsboro and Burlington Police Explorers. Jacob loved all animals. He had recently adopted a stray from the animal shelter – Trixie – and he loved her very much. Trixie lives with us now and sleeps between us every night. Jacob also enjoyed going to the park with his grandfather and feeding the ducks. Jacob enjoyed all the holidays and cookouts, but especially Christmas; it was his favorite time of the year.
Jacob was my only child and he was truly the love of my life. I adored him. We had a close relationship and I miss him terribly. Jacob’s life ended tragically just before midnight on September 20, 2006. As a mother who loved her son dearly, I feel fortunate that God gave me the blessing of being this child’s mother. I was with him from the second he was conceived until the second he left this earth. I wouldn’t trade one moment that I shared with him. I only wish we could have had more time together.
After Jacob’s death, I received a call from the North Carolina Eye Bank asking for a donation. As Jacob wanted to help people, I felt this was a good way – even through his death he was still trying to help. One week after his death, I received a letter stating that two people who received his donation were able to see. Jacob had his grandfather’s (Pepa) beautiful, blue eyes and I am so thankful that a part of him lives on in others.
I love and miss you every day, Jacob. You took part of my soul with you when you left this earth. I look forward to seeing you soon in heaven!
Janet Perry (Mom)
Snow Camp, NC
Fred Steve Crumley III
May 23, 1947 – July 3, 2006
Fred was born in Augusta, GA into a military family. He preferred being called Steve. His illness was military related. He loved, lived, and slept military. He served in three major war operations: Desert Storm-Shield Operation, Urgent Fury in Grenada, and three tours in Vietnam with five separate campaigns. He served in Okinawa, Vietnam, Germany, the Persian Gulf, and in Grenada. His military accomplishments include the Bronze Star; the Master Parachute Badge; Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Vietnam Campaign Medal with five stars; Humanitarian Service medal for Haiti; and two Armed Forces Expeditionary medals. He retired as a First Sergeant (E8). He went right back to work as a civilian at Fort Bragg, NC to continue serving the military in 1991 until he passed.
He loved to travel, explore old cemeteries, and visit cities with lots of historical buildings. Steve always invited friends for coffee, both at his home and at work. He loved coffee and drank coffee until he went to bed. There was always a pot of coffee no matter where he was. He loved talking to everyone; nobody was a stranger to Steve. He delighted in sharing and giving to everyone. The beach was where he found contentment and joy with the beauty within God’s work. He enjoyed NASCAR very much too. Steve is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of the home; daughter, Lisa Michelle Johnson of Fayetteville; two sons, Matthew Steve Crumley of Parkton, and Jimmy Mitchell Godwin of Fayetteville; brother, Grady Madison Crumley II of St. Cloud, Florida; granddaughters, Jennifer Dotson of Parkton, and Haley Godwin of Fayetteville; grandsons, Cameron Godwin, Jimmy Godwin III, and Christopher Johnson of Fayetteville.
Emmett Crumpton
Garrett was born and raised in Roxboro, NC. In 1965, Garrett moved to Connersville, IN, to live with his brother and family. In 1972, my brother Keith introduced me to Garrett. I think it was love at first sight. At that time I was 18 and Garrett was 27. Garrett didn’t tell me how old he was, because he was afraid I would not date him. Of course, I found out later and it didn’t matter. Garrett always said, “I wished I would have met you when I moved to Connersville,” but I told him “I was only in the fifth grade and I wasn’t really interested in boys, just playing kickball at recess”.
Garrett and I were married for 34 years and his sudden death was a great loss. Garrett never met a stranger and enjoyed life to the fullest. We have two daughters, Misha and Shanel, and three grandchildren, Brandon, 9, Sadie, 7, and Josie, 5. There is never a day that goes by that one of the grandchildren doesn’t say “I miss Papa”.
Garrett loved laughter and food and would do anything to ensure that everyone was happy.
Garrett was an auto body repairman for 42 years. Working on wrecked cars made him happy to see the finished product and the smiles of joy on the customers’ faces. Everyone loved Garrett – his sense of humor and his great smile.
Garrett went to get his driver’s license renewed and was so happy when he came home from the DMV office, saying, “Guess what, Honey? I am an organ donor!” He was so excited that some day he would be able to help someone.
Garrett loved country music, and knew every song by each artist. At his funeral we played “Believe” by Brooks and Dunn and “When I Get to Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton.
I am so proud that a part of Garrett lives on and someone can see the beauty that Garrett saw in everyone and in each day.
Judy Crumpton
