"Dex"
Nothing Loved is Ever Lost and He Was Loved So Much
On October 1, 1998, Dex was kidnapped at gunpoint and taken to Titlow Park in Tacoma, Washington. An argument ensued when Dex did not give up the keys to his car. He was shot in the head execution style. The murderer drove off with Dex’s car. The paramedics took Dex to Madigan Hospital where he died later that evening with his car alarm clasped in his hand.
Who is Dex?
Dex was a vibrant, funny, and uplifting person. He worked full-time and went to school full-time trying to fulfill a dream to become an Engineer. He was highly motivated and could have accomplished a lot more than what he gave himself credit for.
Dex's passion was his car. He loved his car so much that his life was taken away tragically because he would not let go of his car.
Family and Friends
Dex left behind his mother, father, two sisters, brother-in-law, nephew, girlfriend, and family and friends who loved him dearly. Life would never be the same again. A tragic death of a loved one is debilitating. It is pain and numbness together, a hole that will never be filled. We still wait for the phone to ring, the knock at the door, the sound of his voice, and the smile that we will forever hold in our hearts.
17 comments:
This is an exceptionally powerful site and wonderful tribute to Dex, a person who touched so many of our hearts!
I'm glad you liked it. This is exactly the response I was hoping for.
Sha
Sharon,
You didn't waste any time getting this up and running. When you say that "(Dex)... said he would die before anyone takes his car", it's chilling to thing of how eerily accurate that statement became.
- Bruce
Bruce,
Yes, the sad part is that he was right. I was going to visit him at school before this happened and decided against it...my loss. Thank you for checking my blog and posting to it.
Sha
I'm glad you did this, Sha. Dexter had asked me to create a webpage for him (featuring his car - duh), but I didn't have the skills then (or now). In some ways, a blog is even better. I guess I am very conflicted though -- proud of you for this project and for doing this for Dex. How I wish we could have done something like this when he was alive. Dex would have been a very enthusiastic blogger.
This is for you, Dex. We love you. You will always be a part of us. I still think of you everyday and I suspect I always will. And one of these days, I know I'll see you again. In the meantime, don't drive too fast. Or don't they have speed limits where you are?
Mom,
Thank you. I'm sure Dex would have loved having this then...This is a great tool to keep his memory alive.
Sha
Belma, no regrets. No regrets! Your beautiful boy is fine, and he wants you to be happy.
I didn't know Dex until recently... see, he is still nearby. I don't believe there are speed limits where he is; which, I'm thinking, he would consider pretty *awesome*.
Beautiful site, Sharon.
Thanks Kris. I agree. I don't think there are speed limits where Dex is..the sky is the limit.
Sha
Kris, as always, your "extra" vision is very uplifting. I like to think that you are right -- that Dexter is happy and nearby, when he's not otherwise engaged. I can picture him hanging out with friends and fellow car enthusiasts, admiring each other's wheels and racing in the night sky. Heaven will never be the same again -:)
Bel and Sha
I check the site religiously and am so happy to see pictures. Time and circumstances prevented me from meeting my godson. It maybe be one of the biggest regrets in my life. I look at his picture and see my friend from so long ago.
When do we get to hear Dex's favorites? A classic Dex joke?
Celia,
Thank you for checking Dex's blog. I like your suggestions and will certainly post something. I think that would give this blog a lift!
Sha
Celia,
It's so good to hear from you, esp now that we are gearing up to retry Dexter's murderer. I echo your suggestions re the blog and I see that Sha agrees.
What was Dex like? He was charismatic. He had an energy about him that drew people. Dex had an air of brooding intensity that was sometimes painful to watch, but when he was with other people, esp. those he loved, he was a bright flame --playful, funny, full of silly jokes, irrisistible. He had this amazing capacity to totally focus on his latest toy or friend. Obsess is probably a better word. I remember when he was about 6 or 7 yrs old, he couldn't get enough of matchbox cars. Even then, he was already crazy about cars. He would even take his new toys to bed with him. Near the end, I would find his Acura Integra parked almost nose to nose with his bedroom door. I finally figured out it was the closest best thing to having it on his bed.
I'm sorry you didn't get to know Dex. In some ways, he was a lot like you.
--Belma
NCS SAYS
I DIDN'T KNOW DEX BUT I KNEW HIS SISTER AND MOTHER AND FATHER.
I'M SURE HE WAS A GREAT BOY BECAUSE THEY SURE AREWONDERFUL PEOPLEI USED TO SEE HIS DAD AT TITLOW AND I'D LEAVE A FLAG.
THESE ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE AND I WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR THE NEW TRIAL.
Dex, you are departed, but your memory, bright light and energy will forever be with us.
If we had a single flower for everytime we think of you, we could walk forever in a magic garden.
Your Titams who loves you forever.
Kuya,
Here we go again...your murderer has asked for a re-trial because he feels he should be given a better life. What about you, our family and friends? I don't think there would ever be a better life without you....we can try to make it so, but it will never be quite the same. How could we when we are missing a vital part of our lives? It's interesting to see how other family members are feeling towards this new trial...it reminds me of how I first felt when I lost my only brother, my mentor....my best friend. I was so consumed with my own grief and depression the first time that I did not have time to even symphatize with others. I know what grief and depression can do...my wall will stay up as long as I feel the need for it....and I do. I feel I don't have much to offer to family and friends right now, going to the trial is an absolute struggle for me. I hope you are watching the trial where you are and have seen how family and friends have missed you and what they say about you...you were an inspiration in the lives you have touched, and you touched so many lives. I miss you kuya and you are always in my thoughts and forever in my memories.....love always, your kaboom.
Sha
I read an article about Alzheimer's today. It said more and more people will suffer from it. Already, mom has the onset of the disease. She is only 83. I cried thinking that one day, I may not even remember who Dexter was and how much I loved him. When I die or lose my memory, who will remember my son as faithfully as I remember him now?
Our memories are part of who we are...they are the pages of our life story. If for some reason you forget, it's only a matter of time until you get them back in full color....you would already be with him at the time. If you forget, it's okay because you wouldn't know the difference, when you remember, life for you would heavenly. I am here to remind you always of who you are and how much you are loved....who you loved and why. Ask your mother, we used to have a good time just chatting about her good old days (this is when I had time....and soon enough, I will again). We can never forget our loved ones....we may have minor glitches, but they will be fixed one way or another.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS,
Your #1
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