We are Megan and Ron, David’s mom and dad.
Our son, David DeMott, was a bright light — full of laughter, kindness, and joy. This memorial fund has been created to honor his life and carry forward the legacy he leaves behind.
David was our youngest — spunky, magnetic, endlessly social, and full of heart. He had a way of making people feel seen. Teachers smiled when they spoke about him. Friends gravitated toward him. He had what can only be described as a light.
Just weeks before everything changed, David celebrated his 13th birthday surrounded by a huge circle of friends. The room was loud with laughter — exactly the way he liked it.
When we once asked him why his teachers always described him so differently from his siblings, he said,
“Well, that’s because my goal is to make others laugh in class each day.”
That was David.
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David suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while walking home from school, just outside the school grounds. It was immediate. It was rare. It was unimaginable.
Extraordinary people surrounded him from the very first seconds — including an ER physician friend that began CPR immediately. First responders arrived within minutes. He received outstanding medical care from that moment forward.
His heart began beating again.
But his brain had gone too long without oxygen.
We prayed for a miracle. And while the miracle we hoped for did not unfold the way we wanted, we experienced moments of grace that we will carry forever.
As we were preparing to withdraw care, Megan leaned over him, kissed him, ran her fingers through his hair, and whispered, “I love you.”
At that exact moment, his heart began beating again.
That sacred moment is ours forever.
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Just weeks earlier, we had talked with David about what lies beyond this life. He shared that he believed there is something more — something bigger than us. That conversation now steadies us.
We believe David is wrapped in love. We believe his spirit is whole. We believe he would want us to keep laughing.
Even in his passing, David gave life.
Through organ donation, he will save at least three other children. In our deepest grief, there is also breathtaking generosity. That is who he was — even at the end, David was giving.
Megan has spent nearly 25 years as an emergency medicine physician, walking families through moments of crisis and doing everything possible to save lives. We never imagined we would be sitting on the other side of that conversation. This experience deepens our commitment to ensuring that David’s legacy will one day support other children and families facing medical crisis.
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So many of you have asked how you can help. How you can honor him. How you can turn heartbreak into purpose.
We have created The David DeMott Memorial Fund as a way to transform grief into something life-giving.
Funds raised will be placed in a dedicated account and thoughtfully stewarded by our family as we carefully determine the specific mission of what will become The David DeMott Foundation.
Potential initiatives may include supporting children and families facing medical crisis, raising awareness around sudden cardiac events in youth, and programs that foster connection, laughter, and community among young people — all reflecting who David was at his core.
We are deeply committed to ensuring that every gift honors David’s life and creates meaningful impact in his name.
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If a community could carry someone home on its prayers, it would be this one.
We do not understand why this happened. We may never fully understand. But we know this:
We would not trade our 13 years with David DeMott for anything.
He was deeply loved. He knew he was deeply loved. And his life, though far too short, was incredibly full.
If you feel moved to contribute or share this page, we are profoundly grateful.
Tell people you love them. Laugh every day. Live fully — the way David did.
With gratitude,
Megan and Ron DeMott