Tom Uecker Fund - Funeral/Awareness

My name is Gina Phillips.  I lost a dear member of my chosen family yesterday; Tom Uecker.   My reason for starting a Go Fund Me page is to raise money to help pay the expenses for Tom's funeral and provide a donation to help raise awareness for a seldom talked about issue called suicide.  Any funds donated will be used to pay Tom's funeral expenses to lessen the financial burden for two of the kindest, caring and giving people in my life; Tracy Uecker Pilzcuk and Tammy Uecker Karas.  ALL funds raised above these expenses will be donated to a suicide awareness program to be determined. Tom Uecker loved life.  He loved his son first and foremost.  He loved his sisters.  He loved his nieces and nephews. He loved basketball.  He loved Michigan sports as much as he loved music.  Tom Uecker knew how to love.  Unfortunately, Tom was only 30 years old when he succumbed to his illness.  He battled depression, suffered loss more than anyone could imagine, all while working to help fight internal battles that no one can ever understand.  We will miss his laid back and fun loving personality.  The loss of his vibrant smile, mellow soul, kind heart, cool attitude will leave a hole in all hearts who were lucky enough to have known him.  Tom is the brother of my two dearest friends (and saying friends is not giving justice to our relationship because they are my family).  I am not the only person who considers these siblings family. Because they really know how to love and enjoy life. How can you resist a family such as that?

The tragedy of having to bury a family member is enough for one lifetime,  but Tom's passing is not the first loss this family has endured.  Their father Dennis Uecker lost his battle with cancer in 1996.  Their mother Marjorie passed away in 2013.   Burying your parents is not something you should have to do before you are 30 years old;  Tom Uecker had to do that twice in his short life. Sadness turns to depression and research and funding to help those who have to work through depression can help prevent another family from having to suffer a senseless loss of life.  Suicide is a disease that has no boundaries.  Tom's death has left a tidal wave of grief, sadness and emptiness that comes with a self-inflicted death of someone you love. There are no resources from employer benefits or family reserves, any donation will be appreciated more than one can imagine,  Thank you for taking the time to read this page.