Caleb Lane

        Caleb Dee Lane, “Dees”, hated the work but loved the results. Anything related to math, physics, or engineering fascinated and thrilled him. He could watch Nova, Cosmos, or Bill Nye for hours. He loved to build and experiment. He enjoyed disassembling things to figure out how they worked. He would thrive when he had a problem he could think and reason through. He had the ability to question the world around him and find the answer to why.  The answers often came easy to him so above all else, he hated showing his work: “why show your work when you have the answer already.”

   

         Caleb loved anything related to Star Wars, Dr. Who, Big Bang Theory, The Office, or Seinfeld. He could spend hours working on a puzzle and will be very disappointed by how long it will take us to finish his 18,000 piece masterpiece. He loved to visit NASA and never met an interactive display he didn’t like.

   

        For the last three summers he attended UVU prep. He spent his days learning math, physics, logic and engineering. He loved every moment of this program. He was so excited to go to summer school this year and take geometry.

In August last year Caleb finally got his pet cat. In order to do this, he had to read The Lion in the Living Room. For those that know him they understand what a feat this was, because he loathed reading. Caleb spent two hours at the animal shelter to pick out the perfect kitten. Caleb loved “Potato” and snuggled with her every day. Caleb and Potato were the best of friends and were able to always comfort each other.

   

        Caleb loved his family. He was always willing to help his parents and be a protector of his little sister. Hannah is going to miss walking to the bus stop with him each morning. Caleb loved to play with his cousins. He never felt that he got to see them enough. His younger cousins looked up to him and would often follow him around.

   

        Caleb loved his friends in Utah and missed them terribly. Caleb could spend hours with his friends playing Risk, night games, Mine Craft at the library, exploring the Rec Center, or just playing games in the “back” backyard. He was good friends with all the kids in the neighborhood. He loved to play with anyone, regardless of age. He was so good with small kids and wanted to ensure everyone was included, just like his uncle Joe. Caleb loved everyone. He was kind to everyone. He was always willing to help anyone who was in need. He was sweet and he wanted to make the world a better place.

   

        Friday night when we learned that Caleb no longer had brainstem activity, and there was nothing that could be done, we knew instantly what Caleb would want. This began a three-day journey. For three days Caleb’s body fought so that he could serve strangers in need, despite the fact that he was declared legally dead on March 17, 2018 at 2:11 PM. This time was a gift that allowed family and friends to say goodbye. On Monday March 19, 2018 at approximately 6 PM, Caleb’s body left his family’s side and he went to the operating room. He gifted his liver, a kidney and pancreas, and a single kidney to three strangers. He gave his corneas and the gift of sight to two individuals. He also gave tissue to research studies that could help lives untold.

   

        Caleb was our baby boy. He was funny and smart and loving. All our lives have been blessed because we had him. Kim and I are truly honored to have been his parents. Our lives are forever better because of him. We will miss him always and, “You can’t stop change anymore than you can stop the suns from setting.” – Shmi Skywalker

--Jason and Kim Lane