When
Their Beautiful Spirits Left This World
We Wept...
As They Entered Heaven
Trumpets Sounded, The Angels Sang
And All Of Heaven Rejoiced!
Michael's
"last" birthday party Nov 24,2001.
4th of July
2001 on their way to watch the fireworks.
The boy
in the middle is Keenan...one of their
"tight" group of four friends.
Jordan and
Michael dyed their hair black for a
Halloween party / joke....
Jordan
Michael Draper lived life well. he knew no
other way. Jordan approached everything he
did with enthusiasm. He was a well-rounded
young man with a competitive spirit and a
sense of humor that guided him all he
achieved. It is because of these attributes
and many others that is was so easy for his
family, friends and the community to love
him.
Jordan loved all sports. At various times
during his life, he played baseball,
basketball and golf, but his true passion
was for soccer. He began playing
recreational soccer when he was nine and
continued on to travel soccer and finally,
playing on the Heritage High School soccer
team.
Jordan had a compassion for others that led
him to volunteer at his church, assisting
with young kids in vacation bible school and
the K-5 Kids Club. He traveled with the
church youth group, helping others by
renovating homes around the country. These
experiences taught Jordan to look outside
himself and to embody the principle of "The
Golden Rule." He was fiercely competitive in
athletics, yet compassionate in his
community service. Through these activities,
Jordan became a balanced young man.
His family and friends will forever miss
Jordan. He and his good friend, Michael Gall
were together skiing and snowboarding the
day we lost them both in a car accident.
They were out in the world - traveling,
being active, sharing good times and living
life well. Let Jordan's life be an
inspiration for all...to live life well!
Michael Reid Gall exists in a sly smile. The
one on his face as he ran for a "dewski."
That sneaky grin he would flash as he
pointed at you and told you one of his
master plans. The curl of his lips as he
sped down a winter half pipe or labored over
his tools in the garage. Michael will always
be remembered because just the thought of
him makes those who loved him return that
sly smile.
Behind that smirk was a young man who cared
deeply for all those he knew. To his friends
he was wholly devoted: for whom he was their
star drummer. Michael's belief in God led
him to annual summer church retreats - at
Camp Barakel - where he could be found sharp
shooting on the rifle range - and winning
marksmanship medals. He was a faithful paper
carrier - speeding in and out of driveways
on his super-charged "Go-Ped." He was also a
loving and original best friend to his two
brothers, Ryan and Reese, and the family dog
"The Coco." Above all else was Michael's
ability to make you laugh or to encourage
you to follow him anywhere.
It was in the winter of 2002, Michael's
sophomore year at Heritage High School, when
we lost him and his good friend, Jordan
Draper, on a ski trip in northern Michigan.
They were laughing, smiling and "living."
The loss of Michael has left an enormous
hole in every place that he has touched and
that he will never be able to touch again.
When you think of Michael, remember his
unique character and his smile that has
always conveyed so much!
Those We Love Are With The Lord,
And The Lord Has Promised To Be With Us,
If They Are With Him, And He Is With Us...
They Can Not Be Far Away...
