Signing a donor registration form was not how Houston resident Leonor Gonzales envisioned honoring her 16-year-old son, Santos “Makis” Gonzales, but she knew in her heart it was the right thing to do. After all, her son saved the lives of four people through organ donation when he died tragically on Nov. 12, 2009. Walking into Ben Taub Hospital that day, will be with me for the rest of my life, said Leonor. I will…
Gabriel Gonzalez Jr (Gabe) was a great kid. I don’t say this because he is my child, I say it because even though he had been in some legal trouble as a juvenile he would do anything for anyone. If someone needed something, he would do his best to get it for the person, or help the person. He basically would give his shirt off his back if he hadtoo. He never turned his back…
Our father was a very loving, giving man, firmly committed to his family and his country. He spent more than 30 years in the Air Force and practiced military principles — including honor, respect and duty — in his everyday life. Dad was very intelligent and had an insatiable appetite for learning. An honorable man, he would never think to lie, steal or take what wasn’t his due. Though he was the “silent type,” he…
Ashton Marie Goodenberger (Pooh Bear) was born on February 16, 1989, and passed away the morning of June 05, 2005 at the age of 16 due to a tragic auto accident. She had a beautiful spirit, a brilliant smile and was a true friend to everyone. She was one of those rare people who exemplified true beauty on the inside and out. She was an uncommonly genuine and generous person. Her friends and family were…
Amber Granger, 23 years of age, decided on July 16, 2008 to give the ultimate gift. She gave the gift of life to her 10-year-old brother, Anthony. There was never a second thought! Amber stepped up and said, “Let’s do this.” She went through the process and was a perfect match! The transplant was “textbook,” as it was told to us, and 15 years later, they are both living their best lives! Amber will forever…
Dwight “Moose” David Griffith began his life journey on December 19, 1981 in Duncan, Oklahoma. He grew up in a small town in Southern Oklahoma called Velma and went to the elementary school there and then moved to Lubbock, TX in 1993, where he finished his schooling and graduated in 2000! During his senior year of high school he moved out on his own and kept his high school job working at Bigham’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Q….
We are praising God, with joy, for the new life that I’m experiencing as of 10/10/12. This new life came from our precious Lord thru our son, David Groneck, who is a chiropractor in Humble, Texas. When I found out my kidneys were seriously failing and I needed dialysis, David, and many others, immediately volunteered to be a donor. The other candidate’s that offered were not a match. David continued to be tested. We were…
Anthony Paul Groneman: a son, a brother and a friend of many; he could enter a room and brighten everyone’s day with his smile. He was a 6 ft. tall sophomore in high school who would rather read a good science fiction book or play video games with his two brothers (one older and one younger) and his little sister, than play basketball. Anthony was God’s server at church. We would attend Saturday evening Mass…
Loren Amber Gutierrez was born on 12/24/87 and passed away on 1/3/11. Her vehicle accident occurred on 12/18/10 and spent her Birthday, Christmas and New Years in a coma. She almost came out of it once. Her childhood was spent with a lot of love. She was born happy and smiling all the time and complained only a handful of times, mostly when she was hungry (joke). I nicknamed Loren the “bottomless pit”. She went…
My name is Sara Guzman, Living Kidney Donor to my husband. Organ Donation has touched my life in so ways, starting off with my husband, Julian, being diagnosed with Liver Failure in 2005, and was on the waiting list 16 months, When he received the call that they had a liver for him. He received his Liver Transplant On 02/20/07, and done great, was able to go back to work, do the normal everyday things…