Memorial for Keaton Sayess

From Erin, Keaton’s Mom: I’d like to memorialize my son it a unique way. One I haven’t wanted to share because if I can’t pull it off, if nobody cares, if I fail, I just don’t know how I’d face it. With so much having been taken, please know that I am so grateful for all that has been given, to those who have donated, shared, and done, to those who do care. Have called, sent cards, flowers, gifts, texts, messages, photos, videos. Hugged me. Cried with me. Prayed for me and my family. If and how much you care, It’s not defined by a gofundme donation. I know that. And honestly, when someone says to me that they don’t know what to say, or they wish they could do something, suggesting they donate money isn’t what cones to my mind. I want my son back. Period. I want my mother back. See. This is why I was hesitant in the first place. I sound like an idiot. My point? Please Erin, get to it. I will continue to save until I can make it happen. But... A coworker/friend just recently found out what happened. Without hesitation I told him my plan, he said “TELL EVERYBODY”. So, here’s my plan: It involves Keaton’s ashes....an actual spacecraft, an orbit, with re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere....and an opportunity for people to attend the launch via a web link, and even track the orbit from their phone. One option offers return of ashes in a capsule after a short launch without tracking, while the other provides tracking and the remains/spacecraft eventually re-enters burning up in entirety blazing like a shooting star in final tribute. Me? As his mom I want his ashes back. But let’s face it. I know my son. So the campaign continues. This Gofundme is to fund the memorial service for Keaton. As we are all aware with the current covid-19 situation we will not be able to have a normal funeral/service for Keaton. We will be raising money to do something very special for him in the near future. Please consider donating what you can, absolutely anything helps. 

Thank you all for your love and support during this extremely difficult time.


- Keaton Perry Sayess, 20, of Orange City, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 29, 2020, after a sudden cardiac event on Thursday March 26, 2020.

He was born in Beverly on July 9, 1999 and began his life in Gloucester. He moved to Florida with his family in 2006, always considering Gloucester home, returning to visit every chance he could.
Keaton made friends everywhere he went. He had an authentic innocence in tandem with an old soul. He loved the ocean and the sky. He loved music and played the guitar, he loved the stars and space, and would draw and practice calligraphy. He formed a small group of close friends from high school theater, reconnected with an amazing group of friends from middle school whom he absolutely adored, stayed in touched with friends he made in elementary school, as well as those he made before leaving Massachusetts. He was working as a dishwasher at a restaurant he loved, and had fallen in love. He is survived by his loving girlfriend Raven Baires.

Keaton took pride in his Irish and Scottish heritage, wearing kilts, always choosing just the right sporan. He loved the history of the of the United States. He had an interest in martial arts and self defense/survival weaponry. He collected things he saw beauty, value, and relevance in. He was charming, he was thoughtful and sweet, he was humane, and he was beautiful. He appreciated comedy and tragedy, culture and society. He frustrated and simultaneously inspired those closest to him. He couldn't walk past a grocery cart in a parking lot without returning it to the cart corral. He always made time for anyone who reached out to him, and he was often the first to reach out and check on those he loved.

Keaton enjoyed many forms of entertainment and was kind enough to share his enjoyment with those he loved. Whether it was Pokémon, Monty Python, NASA, YouTube, crime procedural dramas, books, quotes, musical or theatrical, he gave it his full attention and respect. He loved the show Supernatural, believing in and supporting the Always Keep Fighting campaign.

Keaton graduated in 2017 from Deltona High School, proudly walking in front of his classmates and family wearing the honor cords he earned as a member of Troupe 4376. He had a passion for math and science, space, and humanity. He was an abstract thinker; pondering perception, love, and kindness while constantly and purposefully wandering in the trenches of a battle that cycled rapidly. Life.