Michael Trek Pipkin
Michael Trek Pipkin, 22, of
Billings, MT died October 3, 2010 at home surrounded by family.
He was born on April 26, 1988 in St. George Utah to Walter and
Jamie (Collard) Pipkin. He is the third of five children.
Trek’s fight for life began on October 10, 2005 when he was
diagnosed with Leukemia. He went into remission and
graduated from Skyview High School in 2007. He then worked
as a Manager for City Brew Coffee. The cancer returned in
August 2007 at which time he also developed severe heart
problems. He had a successful bone marrow transplant in Salt
Lake City and returned home. After struggling with heart
problems, Trek received a LVAD in May 2009. The cancer
returned again for the third time in December of 2009. After
being told his cancer was terminal, Trek bravely requested
his LVAD be disconnected in July 2010. Trek surprised
everyone around him and lived two and a half more months.
He is survived by his parents; siblings, Tanner (Rae), Kori
(Mathew S. Caudill), Trevor, and Tye; nephews, Trenton and
Tagen; and niece Brooklyn, all of Billings. He is also
survived by his maternal grandfather Dean (Katie) Collard of
Monticello, Utah and maternal great grandmother Merlene
Collard of Nephi, Utah.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Dale
Collard and his paternal grandparents Paul and Thelma Pipkin.
Trek was a great inspiration to everyone who knew him and
many others who only knew of his story. Trek had a very
sweet spirit and a witty sense of humor that he shared with
everyone.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 8th from 6-8pm at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Another viewing will be held Saturday, October 9th from 9-9:45am with the funeral starting at 10am at the LDS Church on Broadmoor Drive in Billings Heights. Interment will be held at the Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I only
met Trek once and he had a great impact on me. I loved him and your
family’s sense of humor. I enjoyed all of the Pipkin family that I met.
I am sorry that I will not be blessed to see you all again. Please
accept my deepest condolences.
Twyla Kannegiesser
Kori and family – I am so sorry to hear about Trek. My thoughts are with you and your family. Trek always had a smile and a great sense of humor – Gina Cleveland
Hello Jamie and family,
I just read the obituary for Trek and saw the beautiful smile and
eyes that I remember. He was just a small child when I knew him in
Absarokee. He always smiled, a huge smile, such a loving sweet boy.
He always wanted to stay with us at our Log house we bought from
your friends. I would tell him that I had to change the sheets, he
would just laugh every time. My heart aches for you, but I just know
you have so many great memories of him. He left a huge smile in my
heart and the world will miss his energy for life. Thank you for
sharing him with us all.
Lots of love and many good thoughts!!
Vicki Hochhalter
Trek was an amazing young man and will be missed by many. All of us at the Billings Clinic Radiation Oncology send our deepest sympathy to Trek’s family and friends
Walter, Jamie and family,
We're so sorry for your loss. Ike spoke of your son often and his
health struggles, and we prayed quite often for Trek. Although we
didn't know him, he apparently was a truly unique and wonderful
person, with more strength than any young person should have to
have. We'll continue to keep ya'll in our prayers, and if there's
anything we can do, please let us know! Sometimes it helps to talk
to someone who has been through the similar loss. Blessings to your
family!
Ike & Denise Eichelberg
I only knew Trek a short time and not very
well but in that time he made such an impact. He was always full of
strength and had a great sense of humor. He earned the nickname Trek
Star. He was always there to lend a hand and was never hampered by
his condition. I got a teaching job down in Utah and everyone was
worried about me driving a big 16 ft. truck and a trailer with my
car on it. So Andy thought he would drive with me and then fly back.
Well that was way too much money. Then Trek decided he would follow
me down in his car and Andy would take turns driving with one of us.
That way Trek and Andy could just drive back instead of trying to
get a last minute flight. Trek even offered to drive the big rig on
the freeways since he has ridden on them before. Boy, was I
grateful!!! Those freeways can be scary at first sight! I was just
so appreciative of his offer to help out. It was nice to be going to
a new place with people that I am so thankful to call friends. Plus,
I know they had a great time in Salt Lake City the next day before
they had to go home. Trek is a truly amazing person and will always
be remembered. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Samantha Liptac
Jamie, Walt and Family, My heart is so heavy
for your tremendous loss. We have barely connected since our move
back to Billings and now this great sadness. I am feeling pretty
blessed to have been given the opportunity to see Trek at Sams with
you guys You are all in our thoughts and prayers ---- this world has
lost an amazing person but the heavens have gained an Angel.
With deepest sympathy,
Carole and Gary Simonich