Tyler's Memorial

The memorial for Tyler was today and what a tender experience! So heart breaking to see the hundreds of loved ones shedding thousands of tears, but heart warming to know Tyler was loved by so very many! The pictures and memorabilia were reminders of an amazing young man who braved some torrential storms in life, but not a picture there spoke of hardship or complaint. Instead there were zillions of smiles, one handed wake board rides, silly faced brother to equally silly sister poses, secure daddy hands holding tiny Tyler hands, snack selections of Cheetoes, Diet Pepsi and Rice Krispies, an always beautiful Mom with her little ones pulled in close and more friends surrounding the same red-headed mop top than most have in a whole lifetime! A truly bittersweet display of a life ended far too soon for all who know and love this inspiring and loyal soul.
The audience stood in silent respect as Martin, Cheri and Marisa came into the chapel. They were followed by a long line of bleary eyed loved ones and last, but not at all least, a group of usually smiling, joking, almost grown up "boys", somberly make their way to the row set aside for the "Honorary pall bearers".
The talks were heartfelt and moving, each one adding something to the story of Tyler's adventure through life. Lots of tears. Some were from laughing, some from knowing how much we will miss seeing what Tyler would do next, all of them from the tugging on so many heart strings. Tyler, always 100% Tyler!
After a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for the gift of knowing Tyler and asking for peace to come quickly, the chapel was emptied slowly and reverently. The gift of a balloon, white or royal blue (go BHS swim team!) was given to every person. At Martin's cue, wishes for Tyler were carried through a color coordinated, very blue and cloud white sky. Every person had their own quiet thoughts to send with the gift. It was a hopeful, healing thing to see.
Tyler, heaven bless you and keep you smiling that smile, until you are with your loved ones again!!

I swam with tyler since sixth grade, we were always competing to see who could win all through middle school. In practice we would always talk about airsofting experiences or some video game we played the night before. Tyler was a way fun guy to have on the swim team; he added alot of comedy and energy to the team. I remember in 10th grade we went to a kids house to shave our heads, which was not the best time - ha ha. But afterwards we put each of our shaved off hair in a pile and we compared who had the most off. Most of the kids didn't have much off, but then i thought i had alot until we all looked at tylers pile, which was at least three times as much as anyone else. Tyler made it easy for me to want to go to swimming because it was something to look forward to talk to tyler with.

We had alot of good times at the pool, but most of the fun was out of it. Tyler had a group of friends that always were hanging out with each other. We would play huge xbox battles with each other, intense airsoft wars in his backyard. And the grand finale of going up to his cabin every august to have a airsoft war in the woods with all of his friends. The best memories were created during these awesome activities. He always wanted a friend to come with him on every vacation he went on, except for mexico lol. So ablot of his friends got to experience St. George, Moab, and Lake Powell the Gonzales way! Which is the funnest way of all!

Tyler and I have been friends since Kindergarten. We first met when i kind of choked him because he was bugging me ha ha. But we have been the best of friends ever since. I always remember me and Simon over at his house. Tyler would offer us drinks from the fridge and we would always pretend to steal his dads beer and he would freak! I remember trying to bug his sister so she would chase us and sleeping over and waking up to a massive pile of pancakes! He always had the best video games so I always wanted to try them.

One of my favorite memories was going to the Linkin Park concert with Ty Guy. Tyler and I have always listened to Linkin Park. Down in St George while we were crusing around I would be one singer and he would be the other. We weren't the best singers but we were pretty good if we turned the music up all the way and yelled the words instead. Last December Tyler asked if I wanted to go with him, so we bought the tickets and it was the longest three months wait of our lives! Finally it came and Tyler and I screamed every word of every song the whole time! He has such a high pitched scream I can still hear it lol. It was one of my favorite times with him.

Tyler was one of my best friends and I'm going to miss him a lot. He was a friend that liked all the same things that I liked and it was easy to be myself around him. We could always talk and I never wanted to not hang out with him. I love you Ty Guy, I'll miss you man. Nate

Share your memories here!!

Thank you for looking on the blog in Tyler's memory! Click on the "comments" link below and add you thoughts or experiences with Tyler. If you have a picture to add or want your post to stay up on the blog all the time instead hidden as a comment, send them to kwahlquist@gmail.com and they will be added as actual postings. Come back as often as you want to add another post or just to look around. Remember it is a work in progress so it will have new things to share off and on until September 30th, 2008. Then we will publish it in book to give to the Gonzales family.

From The Newspaper

Tyler Paul Gonzales
Tyler Paul Gonzales 3/7/90 ~ 7/13/08 Our best buddy passed away suddenly due to complications from a massive blood clot. Tyler had many health issues that he courageously dealt with throughout his life including juvenile diabetes for 17 of his 18 years. Even though his life was short, he lived it to the fullest.Tyler was born March 7, 1990 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Martin and Cheri Gonzales. He attended Bingham High School where he was on the swim team and stage tech. He graduated in June of 2008. He had many lifelong friends that enjoyed airsoft, video games and hanging out together. Tyler loved reading, cheetos, diet pepsi and rice krispies. Some of the best times were spent at Lake Powell with family and friends on the annual Fourth of July trip. Also at the top of the list were fall hunting trips with dad, grandpas and friends. Tyler was our hero and faced every challenge with a smile on his face and no complaints. We were so proud of him and learned so much from his inner strength. Survived by his parents; sister Marissa (I love you, Tubs); grandparents, Paul and Linda Pearson, Manuel and Shirley Gonzales; special friend Nicole; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A special thanks to Dr. Okubo, Dr. Jackson, Cami and the doctors and staff at IMC. In lieu of flowers please send donations to FCYD Camp UTADA, Utah Diabetes Camps 1995 West 9000 So., West Jordan, UT 84088 Funeral services will be Thursday July 17, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the LDS Chapel located at 9800 South 2556 West. Visitation from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. (10600 S) and from 10:30 to 11:45 on Thursday at the church. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com Published in the Salt Lake Tribune from 7/15/2008 - 7/16/2008
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