This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Kevin McCord who was born in Napa, California on January 20, 1978 and passed away on September 01, 2005, in Germantown, Illinios, at the age of 27. We will remember him forever.
Kevin and I started dating January 19, 1996....his 18th birthday party. I can remember it like it was yesterday! That was also the date of our first kiss, at 12:03am.
We moved to Illinios together in 1996. In October of 1997, we found out we were pregnant with our daughter. Kevin was quick to call his Dad and tell him! Oh was he scared....5,000 miles away and still intimidating! As the pregnancy moved along we found out we were having a baby girl. Kylah Monique~Aubree McCord was born June 16th, 1998. At 8lbs 14oz, she was the twinkle in her Daddy's eye! The tears welled up in his eyes as he gazed down at her. I knew from that day forward that she would be spoiled and he would get her anything she ever wanted. Kylah was just six months old and we found out we were again pregnant! This time everything felt different: Kevin and I both knew we were carrying a bouncing baby boy! Right, as we always are, Kieran Mykal~Andru McCord came into this world September 29th, 1999, at 8lbs 4oz. Once again, I saw the glisten in Kevins eyes. Now two beautiful children to make our family whole!
As the kids grew, Kevin grew too. He grew into the best father that anyone could ask for.
We finally decided it was time to get married. SO, September 1st, 2001 we did it! Kevin and I got married at Olympic Pavilian, Hazlet State Park, in Carlyle Illinios. Over-looking Carlyle Lake, the sailboats scattered the water as we said our eternal vows to one another. The sky and water was a picture perfect background to our picture perfect wedding!
Kevin starting roofing in 2000. Joining Roofers and Waterproofers Union Local # 2 shortly after. He was very proud of his recent promotion to Journeyman Roofer, that he made Summer of 2005.
Kevin loved to be outdoors. Whether it was boating, fishing, or just hanging out, he lit up a room in whatever he did! Everywhere he went he made friends. If he didn't know anyone when walking in, he knew at least one person by name before leaving!
Another love of Kevin was being with the family. It didn't matter where we went, as long as we were together with our kids. It made him happy to be able to take us out and spoil us as he did so well!
Kevin's favorite places to eat were Tequila's in Cetrailia, IL, Red Lobster in Fairview Heights, IL and Applebee's in Salem, IL. For each birthday in the family the "Birthday Boy/Girl" got to pick where to go. Then usually a BBQ was also in order. Cooking was another love of his!
Everyone holds their own memories of Kevin, I have so many, it is hard to just share a few!
The most memorial day thus far, is September 1st....2001 and now 2005...... The phone rang at 7:15p, it was Kevin......."Hey Babe, its me, just wanted to tell you I am on my way home and I love you and Happy Anniversary. Did you wanna go get something to eat? Or did you make dinner?.....No, I made dinner, I wanna go out this weekend instead. Maybe bring the kids.....Okay, thats fine, I will see you soon and I love you. Happy Anniversary, Babe.....I love you too, Happy Anniversary"......I went back to the laundry, I had to be certain his weekend clothes were clean, all week long, he only wore his work clothes, getting home in only enough time to shower, eat and get back to bed to do it all again the next day.....the phone rang again, Kieran answered it, "Mom, its for you, some kinda boy".......See, it is now only 7:22p and I wasn't expecting anymore phone calls....it was Todd, Kevins friend, sobbing hysterically. Telling me to get a sitter and get there quick , there has been an accident and they can't find Kevin's pulse, "No, Sonya, they found one, just get here quick." Well, I just knew it was a mistake, this couldn't be happening, not on our Fourth Wedding Anniversary! Well I hopped in the car and brought the kids to the sitter, who brought them to her mom next door, and then drove me to the hospital. We arrived at St Josephs Hospital in Breese Illinios before 8 o'clock. No sooner than I walk in and sit down, the nurse sends Pastoral Care in to sit with me. I told her I didn't need to talk to her, I was waiting for my husband to get there so I could take him home.....it was our anniversary! After Phyllis, Pastoral Care worker, asked a few questions of the ER staff, she came back only to tell me that there were two fatalities at the scene and the other two were going to be air lifted to hospitals in St Louis Missouri. Well, still suffering from disbelieve...I just knew he would get there soon. I sat outside watching every vehicle that drove by. As I waited there, the parking lot filled with people, both family and friends, asking me questions that I had no answers to! All I could think of was how mad I was going to be if he was in the hospital and wouldn't be able to celebrate our Anniversary at Red Lobster that saturday! Never in a million years did I think Todd would pull up and get out of his truck only to look at me shaking his head and telling me he was so sorry! As I fell to the ground I let out a blood curdling scream......this couldn't be happening to me! Not now, there is no way I can be a widow at 26 years old! No, this is not true! Apparently, Bill, Kevin's friend, was driving northbound on Wood Lane Road in Germantown Illinios when he approached Rt 161 and failed to stop at the intersection! Just as he crossed the highway, he crashed into a Jeep traveling eastbound.....killing Kevin and another victim from the jeep! So, this one stupid act has not only taken my husband, but taken the father of my children away as well!
miss you / Jessica Kruep (sister-in-law)
Hey just wondering how you are and wanted to let you know i was thinking bout you and i miss you so much. Wanted to say hi and i love ya
HAPPY VALENTINES SWEET ANGEL.. / IRENE MOMMY TO ANGEL KAYLA XAVIER FOREVER (FEV. 14, 2009 )
DEAR KEVIN..HAPPY VALENTINE..SWEET ANGEL...WITH ALL MY LOVE..IRENE, MOMMY TO ANGEL..KAYLA XAVIER..FOREVER.
FOR KEVIN'S BIRTHDAY~♥~ / CATHY~MOM OF DAVID GIRAUD (A GRIEVING MOM WHO CARES. )
DEAR SONYA, YOU DON'T KNOW ME, BUT I HAVE A SITE ON MEMORY-OF FOR OUR SON, DAVID. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW, YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TODAY & EVERYDAY, AS WE TRAVEL THIS DIFFICULT JOURNEY~NO MATTER THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT PASSES, ARE ...
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN... / IRENE MOMMY TO ANGEL KAYLA XAVIER 4EVER (JAN 20, 2009 )
Dear Kevin, Happy birthday..God bless all those that love and miss you..may your day be a special one...stay close to your family that miss you every day...love always...hugs and kisses to you...irene,mommy to angel...Kayla Xavier...forever.
Mid-America Transplant Services I recieved this letter from MTS....along with the "Gift of Life Donor Medal" that will go on our monument when it is complete (thanks, Sonya): October 13, 2005. Dear Sonya: We at Mid-America Transplant Services would like to take a moment to honor your decision to pass life on. In memory of Kevin, please accept the "Gift of Life Donor Medal" that is enclosed. The medal was designed to symbolize your generous gift, which has helped to save or improve the lives of others.
Recipients of this medal have used it by placing it as a memorial or marker at the cemetery, putting the medal in a plaque, or displaying the medal in a cabinet or shadowbox in their home. However you choose to use this gift, it is our hope that you feel and know how important your loved one's donation is to others.
In honor of those who gave, on behalf of those who recieved and with hope for those who continue to wait, we say thank you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (314)991-1661 or toll free at (800)925-3666. Sincerely, Merry Smith Family Support Services
Annual Donor Sabbath Ceremony ~ November 6, 2005. Today Jennifer and I attended the Donor Sabboth Ceremony. It is an annual event held by MTS. The services were held at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood Missouri at five o'clock. We were welcomed and told about the special gift you gave, you were able to donate your eyes, to possibly help someone else see. You were able to give your heart valves to a little girl or boy who's heart wouldn't have beaten without you! You gave so much, and they were so proud of that gift! There were so many people at the ceremony. The tears started at 5 and were still flowing as we were exiting the church. The stories that the guest speakers told about the gifts they recieved and how much the donor families meant to them, just made me know that I chose the right thing when they asked me if you were an organ/tissue donor. Jeremy Becker spoke about the tissue he recieved that repaired his knee in 2001, and of the marathon he and his wife will run in January 2006, and how it will be ran for each donor that has left this earth to go to heaven! That was very touching, to hear him speak those words. It was so unreal, just thought we were watching something in honor of someone else, until we saw your picture go up on the screen, for just a split second, it meant you were really gone! But your legacy will live on in those people that you helped! I love you Kevin!
Update from Mid-America Transplant Services December 2, 2005. I recieved a letter December 2, 2005 reguarding Kevin's donation to MTS in St Louis MO. Linda Martin, Director of Eye and Tissue Bank wrote: "...Hundreds of people depend on the generosity of people such as you. It is deeply moving when one considers the needs of others at the time of their own loss. Through your kindness, the donation of your husband's tissues will help give new life to many who need transplants. We hope that it is of some comfort to you to know that your gift will result in the improved quality of life for several people. Area orthopedic and neurosurgeons will use the bone tissue to improve the quality of life for as many as 30-50 people. Heart valves are in great demand and are primarily used for pediatric patients with correctable heart conditions. Saphenous and femoral veins are used in vascular-type surgery. Skin grafts are also in great demand and are used in patients of all ages to help heal many thermal, chemical or electrical burns. At the time of death and before evaluation, it was not known whether the corneas would ultimately be suitable for transplantation. After careful evaluation, our lab results revealed that the corneas were not transplantable. I am sorry that I cannot report to you more positive information regarding the corneas. The benefits of these donations reach far beyond just the recipients. It also includes an improvement in the lives of their families and friends. ..." The letter continued with more information reguarding the long list of questions I had to answer to a coordinator over the phone just minutes after viewing Kevin's body. The questions related to his lifestyle and what type of life he led. The person I spoke with told me that if the corneas were donated they would be first evaluated and if there was any damage to them what so ever, they would not be able to use them. After considering the choices, I decided that even if they couldn't use them, at least we tried to donate them. And the giving loving person that Kevin was, he would have wanted that. Such things that may have damaged Kevin's corneas would have been glass or debris of any kind. "These Gifts of Life will never be forgotten by any of those whom it has benefited."
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