Another Loss

A young man in our neighborhood (and ward) passed away on November 7th.  It seems that he cleared out his belongings from his bedroom and disappeared without any word to his family.  He was located by tracing his cell phone.  He was found near Las Vegas, dead, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

CC texted me from her workplace and filled me in, then said she was near tears.  She is such a tender-hearted young woman.

So much pain that has driven a guy that young and that well-supported to do such a thing - to end his own life in a strange place.  Yeah, he grappled with depression and didn't hide it from his friends.

This has stunned us all.

Luke Ashton Bateman
(August 30, 1989 - November 7, 2012)
Luke Ashton Bateman, age 23, of Orem passed away November 7, 2012. He was born August 30, 1989 at Fort Belvoir, VA to Rachel Willmore and Louis Bateman. He graduated high school at Mountain View in Orem, UT and was working toward a degree in Behavior Science at Utah Valley University while working as a Psych Tech at Utah State Hospital. In his spare time Luke enjoyed competing with his football team Stealth in the Utah Tackle Football League as a coach. Luke is survived by both his parents, Rachel Willmore and Louis Bateman, his grandparents Lettie and Donald Willmore, and his siblings Heather, Jordan, and Paige Bateman. He was predeceased by his grandparents Peggy and David Bateman.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cascade Chapel at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary 495 South State Street, Orem. A visitation will be held 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral services. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank their extended family for the invaluable assistance offered, as well as their ward for all the help and support they have provided. A memorial fund has been set up in Luke’s name at Central Bank. Please contact the family with any donations or provide them directly to the bank.

Had a Chat

Went to the cemetery to pay my last respects to my friend.  His funeral was on Friday but I couldn't get out of a teaching commitment and so I missed it.

I remembered his wife said she would bury him just below the firing range, so I drove to that part of the cemetery and found his spot.  The flowers were still there, all heaped upon each other and gasping for water.

After I walked around the plot and took it all in, I found a spot near the top of the plot and sat down in the sunshine.  I had a little chat with my friend.  I told him thanks for always being so kind when we'd run into each other around the valley.  I thanked him for being friendly and taking time to stop what he was doing and chat.  For some reason this whole situation has me crying - often.  So, while I chatted I let the tears come.

I looked at the view he has from his spot and I could see the lake and the other side of the valley.  He was an outdoors loving guy and this was perfect.

I thought of all he has accomplished since his humble beginnings in Huntington.  I told him I was impressed with his hard work and success.

Then I told him I was glad his wife had the testimony of forever families to see her through this hard time.  I told him about the many people who were in her corner, trying to be a comfort to her and the two daughters.  I know he knew all this but I told him anyway.

I sat with my friend for the better part of an hour.  When I left, I helped myself to a single dwarf sunflower from one of the arrangements that was lying on the ground.  A single token to remember my friend.

Why has this hit me so hard?  I can't even think about it without getting all choked up and crying.  We weren't close and we only ran into each other on occasion, generally only long enough to say hello and ask how things were going.  So, why does it effect me so??