Tyson was a 17-year-old who had just barely graduated from Landmark High School. He got all his credits done so he could graduate early and was preparing to go to Utah Valley University. Tyson was so driven; he knew what he wanted to do in life. He was awesome, caring, creative, great at music, loved sports and loved everybody. He was a great people person. He was also fearless. He would do anything without even thinking about consequences…but that is what led to his death.

Tyson’s life hadn’t all been easy. Sixteen months before, Tyson was fixing a car with his 11-year-old brother, Jordan, when the jack slipped and crushed his little brother right in front of him. Jordan died of a severe head injury. Our family was still recovering from his death when we lost Tyson, too.

Tyson got up early at 6:00 a.m. Halloween morning to catch the UTA bus to Spanish Fork where he planned to spend the day with his girlfriend. The bus left at 6:30 a.m. and he was rushing to catch it. He was trying to cross State Street when he was hit by a car and thrown into the middle lane where a small SUV ran over him. Tyson was taken to the hospital, but he died a few days later from the exact same head injury that killed his little brother. He hardly had a scratch on him besides the severe head injury.

Tyson had been hurrying to catch the bus. He was wearing dark clothes, a black shirt and gray pants. He crossed the street against the light. He just didn’t think about the consequences of rushing across that street.

I lost my oldest son and the world lost a beautiful person who would have changed the world if given a chance. Just think before you act. Don’t think things aren’t going to happen to you. Stop and think.

Tyson planned to get his driver’s license when he turned 18, but he had a learner’s permit and had declared himself an organ donor. His organs went to help 12 people. In life,Ty gave his heart to everyone, and in death, he lives on in those 12 people who have a new chance at life. I’m so proud of him.

There is not a day that we don’t think about him. We attended the graduation ceremony that we would have gone to with him, had he lived. The principal paid tribute to him. We find little notes at his grave all the time. He still has a Facebook page and people still go on and leave messages. Tyson made a huge impact on people and he will be forever loved and forever missed.