David Allen Kimsey, 2001-2012

How fast things can change.   Just a few days ago I wrote of the optimism we had in getting David some successful treatment and how well he seemed to be responding to steroids.  And now... he's gone.  Just like that.  From his obituary:

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David Kimsey, age 11, died Monday, May 28, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Clayton, New Mexico with Eric Armstrong, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Des Moines, officiating. Burial will follow in the Grenville Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.

David Allen Kimsey was born on April 10, 2001 in Raton, New Mexico to Bryan Allen Kimsey and Georgia (Zentner) Kimsey. His life was full of physical challenges starting with a double hernia as an infant. Shortly thereafter, he was identified with severe anemia which remained undiagnosed in spite of the best efforts of the University of New Mexico’s Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado. He started on a steroid program in December 2011 and seemed to be responding well to such treatment. Early in the morning of May 28, however, he complained of a severe headache and fell unconscious. A LifeGuard flight to Albuquerque was of no avail and he left us in the early evening.

In spite of his frail physical condition, David was full of life. He traveled by Amtrak with his father to Washington DC where they spent several days touring the Smithsonian museum. He was proficient and safe with both guns and bows, was a good mechanic, and could drive a T-head screw. He went camping, to bluegrass festivals and to an archery shoot. He loved listening to music, especially to fiddler Natalie MacMaster whom David saw in concert a few days before he was born and then 8 days before his passing. Two years ago, David got involved with 4H and loved it, especially when he graduated to building rockets which he did all by himself. When David set out to do something, he was determined to do his best. He was a very proficient reader, was amazingly adept with his beloved iPad and was well-known for engaging conversation. His last evening with his earthly family was spent playing games with his siblings and then playing music on his new drum set with his mother and father, a moment they will cherish forever.

David will be sorely missed by all who knew him. David seemed to touch the heart of every person he met. We can only thank God and consider ourselves blessed to have been a part of his life. We trust that David is safe in the hands of his Heavenly Father, perfectly healed of his infirmities.


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I only now realize just how much I loved the kid and how big of a place in my heart he occupied.  When I look back over this blog, I realize that it really was about David.  There were some falcons here and there, ranch work at times, but in nearly every post was David.  David was not just my son, he was my great friend.  I will miss him.  Go with God, little man.  We love you.

Addendum:  I wrote this blog entry the day David died.  A few days later, I wrote this one:
Blessed Be The Name of the Lord, in which I described some of the amazing events that happened prior to and after his passing.  It remains a post to which I have come back to many times for comfort and reassurance on dark days.