Kody James Logan Gilstrap
Kody James Logan Gilstrap celebrated his 18th birthday on
December 16, 2010.
Kody’s new life began at the age of four; when he was adopted into
the loving arms of his mother, Carolyn, father, Ken, sister and
brother, Christina and Devin. Against all odds, Kody survived and
thrived because of the tender loving care of his forever family.
Kody attended Skyview High School, where he was easily recognized by
his camouflage fatigues, enthusiastic voice, and his immense bear
hugs. He worked to remember the name of every person that he met.
Kody had an ear for great music and frequently attended School
concerts with his dad. He was a loving uncle to Jaden. He was an
avid bicycle rider, loved football, and was proud of his medals from
Special Olympics. He especially loved his pet horses, all his cats,
dogs, parrot, parakeet and fish. He dreamed of one day being an
Ambulance driver, Fireman, Policeman, Bus driver, Railroad engineer,
or Helicopter pilot. He also wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up
and now he most certainly is!
Kody left us on Wednesday, February 9 on the wings of angels. He is
survived by his mother and father, Carolyn and Kenneth, sister and
brother, Christina Haythorne and Devin, nephew Jaden Saenz,
grandmothers Sheila Fisher, Janet Tibbetts, and Lucy Gilstrap, and
many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be missed by hundreds of
friends & neighbors, and by his loving family.
Friday was “WEAR CAMO for KODY DAY” at Skyview High School, in
celebration of Kody’s short life. He truly was a blessing to
everyone!
Until we meet again dear son, we love you.
Memorials can be sent to The Boys & Girls Club, 505 Orchard Ln.,
Billings, MT 59101; Optimist Special Children’s Camp, PO Box
80268 Billings, MT 59108, and Special Olympics of Montana P.O.
Box 3507 Great Falls, MT 59403-3507
Memorial Service, Tuesday, February 15th at 4:30 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 119 N 33rd St.
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.
Dearest Gilstraps,
Words just do not begin to express the sorrow we feel for your loss of
this precious young man. We are neighbors, and I baby-sit for my
grandchildren, who live down on Greenbriar. Most mornings, I would see
that wonderful boy standing outside waiting on his bus, and his glorious
smile and enthusiastic wave just MADE MY MORNINGS and brightened my day
always. I looked for him each morning and was sadly disappointed, if I
went by too early or too late and missed his precious greeting. I know
that you all are so proud of the delight that he brought to SO MANY of
our lives and hearts. Please know that you all will be in our thoughts
and prayers, and we trust that God will see you through this difficult
and sad time. May God bless and keep you all.
Rich and Kathy Wagner on Interlachen
Hey
guys, I wanted to share with you how I know Kody so well. I am a
senior at Skyview, and know Devin pretty well also. Kody was
amazing, he was like a brother to me and he brought light to my life
every single day. Every morning he would wait for me by the doors I
walk in, he would tell me good morning, and to have a good day. He
would then come to my 1st period class, before class started, and
sit by me and tell me all about his "Career of the day" He would
always have pictures of something to show me. At lunch he would come
find me and always give me a kiss on the cheek or on the head. If I
was going to lunch with my boyfriend he would follow me and proceed
to tell Kyle, "She's my wife, not your girlfriend. But you can have
her for lunch" During sixth period I work down in Ms. Gays class,
and Kody would always come in and talk to me. He'd tell me his plans
for the night, and vent to me about all his frustrations throughout
the day. Somedays he just wanted to sit and hug me. And I was
perfectly fine with that. The week before he got sick Kody brought
me down a piece of paper, this is the last day I saw him, He handed
it to me and told me that I needed to keep it forever, that someday
it would be special to me. Those words, really mean alot to me now.
Then he told me, "Chelsey, always remember i'm the ambulance driver
for you, and I'm the only one who can give you CPR, I love you." I
am so thankful I still have the Sheriffs badge he made me and some
amazing last words to remember him by. I will remember Kody for the
rest of my life, and so will Kyle. Kody has touched my life, he was
the most amazing person I have ever met. I am having a very rough
time with this. But I know he's up in heaven telling people all
about trains, emergency responders, and of course the military
services.
Kody I love you and I will miss you, but I will never forget you!
Chelsey Day
Ken,
I am so sorry to hear about your son, Kody. I am not really sure if
I ever met him or knew that you had adopted a son. He is at rest;
you gave him a life that he may never have known, and he, in turn,
gave you life. I don't have any 'camo' to wear, but if I did, I
would certainly wear it in his honor and in your honor, good friend.
Carl Rath
To
Ken and Family,
I just wanted you to know that you are all in my thoughts and
prayers over the loss of Kody. I had never met him, but I am sure
that he was a wonderful young man. My thoughts are with you and your
family during this difficult time.
Rhonda Burghardt
So sorry for your loss (and our's). Kody sat behind me on rte 17 school bus on the way to Boys and Girls Club. One day he'd be a cop, the next an ambulance driver or a fireman. He'd always lower his window and wave and holler when we drove by AMR on 4th ave. He seemed to know lot of these service people by name. God rest his soul. He's probably hovering above in his helicopter right now.
Carolyn,Ken and family....It is with much saddness that I heard the news about dearest Kody. I don't know if you remember me, but Kody came to Kid Kollege and I had the great honor of meeting your wonderful son. My name is Karen Monroe and I spoke with you each morning you brought Kody to Kid Kollege. My heart aches for you and your family at this time of great saddness. I will hold you all close in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless all of you.....Karen Monroe
To
Kody's family,
I never knew Kody, but his story has touched my heart. After reading
about him, I wish I could have known him. He was obviously a lovely
person and had a very meaningful impact on those who were fortunate
enough to spend their lives with him. I pray that, after grieving
his passing, you will always smile when you remember the times you
spent with him. May you somehow feel God's peace and accept His
blessings from this sorrowful event.
Sincerely,
Kyle Parker & family
I was Kody's bus driver for Special Olympics. Knew Kody well and was deeply sadden to hear of this bad news. He will be missed on the bus and in our state games. My prayers go out to the family. -Mike Voyles/Billings,MT
Thank you Kody for making a
difference in my childrens lives! Kaiti and Brooklyn
dearly loved you and always had great Kody stories to
share with me! I loved having your artwork on my fridge!
Jared looked up to you and loved sharing stories about
his sisters on the bus with you. You will be forever
missed and remembered sweet boy!
Sincerely,
Amy Heidt
Kody was always a great joy to be around! We will miss
seeing him around the neighborhood, and at "The Club".
Sorry for your loss.
Michael and Bonnie McCann
Mr. and Mrs. Gilstrap, I don't know if you remember me, but, I wanted to offer my deepest sympathies, and condolences. from what I have read and heard, and knowing you Mr. Gilstrap, you are wonderful parents. I'll keep praying for you and your family, to help ease the pain of your loss. May God Bless you and your family, through Jesus Christ our Lord!! If there is anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to let me know.
Marshall Leary
Dear Ken, Carolyn, Devin, Christina and Jaden,
I cannot begin to tell you how Kody touched my life.
From the time you registered 2 sweet little boys at
Bench, through those years of summer school, to me
saying good bye to them as they moved on to Castle Rock
Middle School. Kody had such a big heart. I know
everyone is saying how he always made them smile, but
really, Kody made me feel many different emotions. I
think the greatest was "Hope". You took a scared little
boy, gave him a warm, loving home and changed his life
and all those who were to meet him. I thank you for
sharing your boys with me. I thank you for teaching me
that miracles can happen for children regardless of
their beginnings. Your family enriched my life all those
years ago and I have thought of you often. Kody is
taking a piece of my heart with him. God has plans for
that young man and I am a better person having known
him.
With all my heart,
Peggy Reynolds
Carolyn, Ken, Christina, and Devin:
I am so without words but thinking of you at this
difficult time. I am sharing your sorrow. Kody is in my
prayers. Peace to soothe you, Grace to hold you, and
Love to comfort you.
Sadly,
Sue Schott
Dear Family of Kody,
I was very VERY fortunate to meet Kody some 10+ years
ago through various community programs that I have
worked with in Billings. And of the hundreds of kids I
have been blessed to work with……I will never forget Kody!!
He had the best smile and the most giving person I have
ever met! In his short life, he has touched so many
teachers, students, and community members! My heart goes
out to your family. May you find peace in knowing that
he is in a place that you and I can only imagine about.
Lindsay Johnston
Elementary Teacher, Fairview, Montana
God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered "Peace be thine".
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Just wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you
all! My daughters attend Skyview and were sad to hear
the news. Kody made such a positive impact on so many
people including my daughter’s. He will be missed
greatly…..
Ronda Bryson
Ken, Carolyn and Devon,
We are so sorry for your loss. Every time we would walk
by or drive by your place and Kody was outside he would
always wave and say hi. What a great kid!! He will
surely be missed.
God Bless You,
Brad, Shelley and Kelly Fimrite
Mr. Gilstrap,
I wanted to let you know that you and your family are in
my prayers. I am sorry for your loss. I wish I would had
gotten to meet Kody - seems like we could have been best
friends. He sounded like a friend that everyone and
anyone needed.
My prayers are with you all at Sky View HS.
Jordan C. Johnson ( West HS)
I'm so sorry to hear about Kody. I just found out yesterday. I just wanted you to know I went to school with him since 7th grade and I looked forward to seeing him everyday he always gave the best hug. he was also a very good listener I really love him he was a great kid.