Aaron Michael Myers, son of Craig and Beth Silvester Myers, died Sunday, June 19, while visiting his dying grandfather, Jim Myers, in St. George, UT. He was just 20 years old.

 When I first read of Aaron’s passing, my heart broke, and then I wanted to send flowers along with fellow missionaries from the Germany Düsseldorf Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in which Beth, Craig and I served at the same time.

 But after talking to Beth, I learned that she and Craig would prefer for people to make contributions that would be donated on Aaron’s behalf to charities that Aaron would have wanted to support.

 Although Aaron grew up smart, happy and healthy, loving the outdoors, his family, music, art and sports, he had his struggles.  He was recently diagnosed with depression, which most likely had been with him for some time. He had just begun medication when the family had to travel to St. George, UT, to be with Craig’s father before he passed away. Aaron struggled with the fact that his grandpa was dying. That, along with other things in his life that had not gone well, coupled with the depression, appear to have been more than Aaron thought he could bear.  On Friday, June 17, Aaron’s grandpa passed away. In order to numb himself from reality, Aaron took some prescription drugs in doses larger than prescribed, which ultimately led to his death.  Beth and Craig have no way of knowing whether it was intentional as there were multiple signs that Aaron had plans for the next day and the coming weeks.

 And so if you, like me, were thinking about sending money or flowers in honor of Aaron and to show your love and support to the Myers family, I invite you, with the permission of Beth and Craig, to make a donation.

Sincerely,
Lara Mayo Bangerter
Lehi, UT