2 • Weekender, April 27, 2019, Reid Newspapers Family and friends walk Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon to honor Perry teen Two families bonded together by sports with determination, passion donor. We wanted something good to earlier he wouldn’t make it the heart of a teenage baseball player and focus — and inspired his fellow come of our son’s death, and helping through the night. carry on Brendon McLarty’s legacy teammates to play the best they to save other’s lives was just that,” “We are so very appreciative by embracing what he cared about. could. Brendon’s mom, Lori McLarty said. his heart went to such an amazing Friends and family of the teen will “He was very selfless in a way Oklahoma is a first person man, and so happy to have had the walk in the Oklahoma City Memorial that’s hard to articulate,” Jennifer authorization state, which is an opportunity to meet Kerry and hear Marathon this year, not only Blair, Brendon’s aunt said. “He individual’s legally binding decision Brendon’s heart beat again,” Lori remembering the lives lost in the appreciated the small things in life. to become an organ and tissue donor said. 1995 bombing, but also to celebrate He lived life and touched so many after his or her death. The decision The Creach and McLarty families the life of a young organ donor who people’s lives in 16 years, and was to become an organ donor by an have been in touch for the past passed away in 2012. The recipient able to do that again when he died.” adult cannot be overridden; however, few years, and Creach walked in of his heart will cheer them on from Brendon died in 2012 after a fatal families of minors must make this the Memorial Marathon’s 5K with afar. asthma attack. When he got his decision for their children. Brendon Brendon’s family in 2014. Brendon McLarty was an all- driver’s license, he had signed up to was a registered organ donor on “Every year we run in the American 16-year-old boy who had be an organ donor. his driver’s license, and his parents memorial marathon to remember a passion for sports. He was a Perry “From the moment Jon (Brendon’s honored his wishes. Brendon. It gives me a chance Maroon through and through, and dad) and I knew our son was not Two days after Brendon died, to tell Brendon’s story through enjoyed playing football and baseball going to make it, we decided to Kerry Creach received Brendon’s •Please see Honoring, for Perry High School. He played honor his wishes to be an organ heart. He had been told just hours Page 3 Weekender, April 27, 2019, Reid Newspapers • 3 Honoring •Continued from Page 2 our annual t-shirt, and benefit a designated organ procurement standards by which Brendon lived. legacy for many to follow,” Jeff scholarship fund in his name,” Lori organization in the state of This year, Brendon will be Orlowski, president and CEO of said. Oklahoma and is responsible for memorialized on April 23, when the LifeShare said. “The actions of This year, Creach can’t be part organ and tissue donation statewide. Perry “BMAC” Baseball Complex his family following through with of the event, but will support them The families celebrate Brendon in is celebrating its grand opening. Brendon’s wishes, speaks volumes from afar. many other ways as well. BMAC is a nickname Brendon often to their care and compassion for The memorial marathon coincides The Brendon McLarty Scholarship went by. Kerry Creach will throw others.” with National Donate Life Month, at Perry High School was the first pitch and it will be caught Across the United States, more and LifeShare is celebrating the established to honor and remember by Brendon’s 7-year-old cousin. than 121,000 individuals wait for selfless gifts of life given by people Brendon’s life. The scholarship is “Baseball was Brendon’s passion, an organ transplant to save their around the state of Oklahoma. given each year to a Perry graduate and the field was where his heart life, 700 of these are Oklahomans. LifeShare is the federally that exemplifies the qualities and was. Now, his heart will literally be Thousands more are in need of at the field helping Kerry throw the tissue and corneal transplants to first pitch,” Lori said. restore mobility and sight. Without The McLarty family takes every the generous gift of more than opportunity to encourage the 24,000 donors in the United States community to be organ donors. per year, many would still be Inspired by Brendon’s life and waiting for a lifesaving gift. selfless act, many people have “LifeShare encourages all registered to be an organ, eye and Oklahomans to register as an organ, tissue donor. eye and tissue donor and to share “Brendon McLarty saved many your decision with your family,” lives and left an unforgettable Orlowski said. Provided Two families bonded together by the heart of a teenage baseball player carry on Brendon McLarty’s legacy by embracing what he cared about. 4 • Weekender, April 27, 2019, Reid Newspapers Sharing a decision, DR WOOD sharing life Karson Baker, of El babies his age. His brother, diagnosis of cerebral palsy. cared for his brother, Reno, was born a fighter. Keller, was also a fighter “Despite Keller not being sharing a bond only twins He and his twin brother, but did not overcome his able to speak, walk or care •Please see Sharing, Keller, were born three premature birth without a for himself, Karson deeply Page 5 months premature, weighing only two pounds and 14 ounces, and were in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 72 days. Doctors and specialists warned Brad and Stephenie Baker, the twins’ parents, that the pair would most likely face delays as they grew. By nine months old, Karson was determined to catch up with the development of other Provided By nine months old, Karson Baker was determined to catch up with the development of other babies his age. Weekender, April 27, 2019, Reid Newspapers • 5 Sharing •Continued from Page 4 share. Karson would always step character and high perseverance. held a Pre-Advanced Placement Karson cherished all of the at the time of his passing, and up to help soothe his brother He took criticism well and schedule and had been invited to friendships in his life. He was because he was still a minor, or involve him in activities. He worked as hard as possible join the National Honor Society. passionate about his faith and his parents made the decision grew up to be a proud brother to prove himself,” Taylor Karson also put strategies in sharing his beliefs with others. for him to be an organ donor. of Keller as well as his younger Schwerdtfeger, Karson’s high place to ensure his success On March 5, 2014, Karson Through organ donation, sister, Bradleigh,” Stephenie school coach said. “He was the academically. was in a car wreck with six Karson was able to save five said. type of person coaches hope to “He was on track as a of his friends and was unable lives. LifeShare encourages Karson began playing baseball, have in their programs. He was sophomore to be valedictorian to recover from a severe head all Oklahomans to have the basketball and football at four only a sophomore, but he was a when he graduated, Karson took injury. When Stephenie and important conversation about years old. His teams were great leader. He was the type of academics very seriously,” El Brad were faced with the donation with their friends and compiled of kids who would person everyone looked up to.” Reno High School principal Pat question of Karson being an family. grow to be his best friends As an athlete, he aspired to Liticker said. “He was driven to organ donor, they remembered a “One small conversation I through life. When entering take his gifts and talents for be the best.” short conversation they had with had with my son about organ junior high, he dedicated all of football with him to college and Karson was an all-American him. donation changed the courseof his focus and drive to football, play for the university he would teenager in sports, academics It was on a long drive to five lives,” Brad said. “It’s which was his favorite sport. attend. and also in his social life. He Hennessey, where Karson important to talk about those He worked hard for what he “It’s every football player’s was a joy to those around him expressed to his parents his final wishes with your familyso wanted and began to privately dream to play for Alabama and would never be caught wishes to be an organ donor. you are prepared to makethat train with the most elite group Crimson Tide or the University without a smile on his face. He knew being a registered decision if the time comes.” of quarterbacks in the country. of Oklahoma — Karson was no He made his friends laugh and organ donor could potentially Karson left a legacy for When Karson was a sophomore different,” Brad said. people gravitated to his charisma save lives through his death, and manyin both life and death in high school, he started as Karson was not just an and happiness. He was a good when he received his license, he becauseof his unwavering varsity quarterback for the El accomplished athlete, he was friend to everyone he knew was adamant about registering character,his drive for Reno Indians.