Tyler Shipman left this world around 7:45PM on February 14th, 2010.
Several of us feel that a floral arrangement from PFF and Fiero Owners as a whole would be a fitting and ample tribute from us to a brave young man.
As such, JohnWPB has kindly opened his Paypal account with a $0.00 balance to handle all donations for the purchase of a floral arrangement.
Our thoughts and feelings on flowers for the service is that they will fade, but before they do, they will show support from our family, to Tyler's family.
All donations above and beyond the floral arrangement will go towards the Tyler Shipman Benefit Fund to help defray the medical and service costs.
John has allowed DIY_Stu to also help monitor the account to verify things are 100% legit.
A standing spray, such as this would be ample, and the color choice is of course on par to help show our support. The large arrangement is $250.00
The donations have been closed and totaled. Thank you to everyone!
EDIT 02-18-10 8:04 PM
Ok, I just received the images of the arrangement that Flowers by Val did. It looks amazing.... I just do not know what to say.........
(Photo's kept in original resolution, to see all the detail)
Full arrangement:
Close up of the card:
EDIT:
Just a small update (02-15-10):
Services for Tyler Shipman will be held this coming Friday, February 19th at 2:00 in the afternoon in the auditorium at the Frazee High School in the auditorium.
There will be Visitations from 4:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM on Thursday the 18th, at the St Paul's Lutheran Church just outside Frazee.
DiyStu spoke to Ashley, and she says that 1800 Flowers does not have a local shop in that area, and that flowers would have to be shipped in if ordered through them. Thus the decision was made to have a local florist take care of it for us. I spoke to Val's on the phone, and they are going to do up a very special arrangement for us, all in Yellow.
Many thanks to those who have made donations already. If anyone else is planning on making a donation, please try to do it soon, so we can take care of everything in time for the service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think that arrangement is perfect. We all know the significance of the yellow to match is car.
I did not know Tyler all that well, but being able to be a very small part of making the time that he had left, the best that it could be, was an amazing experience. After the build weekend, when he got in his car, and we all saw the smile on his face, from ear to ear........ that was just one of the most moving experiences I have ever had in my life time.
As Tyler's mom posted in her journal:
"We have never talked publicly about the prognosis Tyler was given, in part because why put a time limit on life. To truly know the miracle that Tyler's journey has been, I feel sharing this information would be a good thing at this point. We were told Tyler would have weeks, not months, and this was the best it would be. In the over 3 months Tyler has been home he has watched his car be rebuilt, drive his car, attend a benefit, spent lots of good times with friends/family, raced his remote control cars, played cars, and many more things too long to list. he has loved and been loved. His life is a miracle."
I truly believe, as does his mother from a couple of emails we have had back and forth, that the hope and excitement of seeing what was to be, and had been done to his car, by this fantastic community here on the forums, was able to take his mind of of things, and give him an inner strength to carry on.
Tyler, May you rest in peace. You may be gone physically, but your memory will live on..
Ok.... shew.... as Chris mentioned, and it's worth mentioning again... When the donations are closed in a couple of days, I am giving DIY_Stu my PayPal user name and password to log into my account and look at all of the donations, and the total donated. This is to ensure that there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the money is going 100% where it is said to be going.
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 03-06-2010).]
Thank you for letting us all know. It's very sad to hear, but I'm glad for what happened through this community to help him realize his dream. We will miss you Tyler, and I am sorry I was never able to meet you.
My deepest condolence's go out to Tyler's family. May there be peace in their hearts as they know Tyler is in a better place where he knows no pain and suffering. He will be missed by many and loved by all who've read his story.
A sad farewell, to a young son...Tyler, you will forever live in the hearts and memories of the PFF family.
I regret that my purchase of The Fiero Factory and my "return" to the forum was after Tyler's Toy was built...we would have been honored to help any way we could.
Donation, and prayers for the family sent...
Jeremy and Stacey B. The Fiero Factory
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12:52 AM
sadie goad Member
Posts: 274 From: Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA Registered: Apr 2008
I haven't followed this story much but by what I've seen it must be true: "Only the good die young."
Sure seems like the ones with the biggest hearts that give the most love go the soonest.
Small donation sent.
Edit: Went to the Caring Bridge to read the journal. If anyone says Marines don't or can't cry, they have been proven wrong. This is such a touching story of an amazing young man. I had to stop reading. Only because I couldn't see the screen any longer.
To Tyler, your spirit and will seem unbreakable. Your heart too big for your chest. I know all you wanted was to rest but just to show how tough you were, you held on. Not for yourself but for those who weren't as strong as you. For those who weren't strong enough to see you go. You have earned your rest Tyler. Tougher and more determined than any Marine I ever knew. Drop your pack, brother and we'll all catch up with you eventually.
As my tribute to you Tyler, when I step out on the field tomorrow before rehearsal, I will sound your final taps. No, your family and friends won't hear it, but this is between you and me buddy.
Ooh rah.
Cpl Mamalis USMC
[This message has been edited by MarineFiero (edited 02-15-2010).]
Guys, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Tyler. I too am sorry I wasn't able to meet him and participate in the build. The thoughts and prayers of my wife and I are with both Tyler's family as well as all of you who knew him. I wish we could do more, but a modest contribution has been made. Thanks for handling this on our behalf.
To all those involved in helping keep Tyler as happy as he could be you should be proud. I am sure the feeling you gave him was doubled twice over by the feeling you all indirectly gave his mother, I feel proud to belong to a community such as the Fiero one here.
PayPal sent
[This message has been edited by Camel (edited 02-18-2010).]
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07:54 AM
PFF
System Bot
CoolBlue87GT Member
Posts: 8461 From: Punta Gorda, Florida, USA Registered: Apr 2001
I never got to meet Tyler or his family in person, but somehow they all became a part of my life as well as part of the lives of countless others. I took my last few vacation days from work on the build weekend so I could watch and feel in some small way involved in this young man's dream. We were all blessed to have been given the opportunity to make a difference in a young mans life and the lives of his family and friends. I want to thank them for allowing us to be there.. to be involved and most of all for allowing us to feel better about ourselves and our fellow man at this traumatic time in their lives. The outpouring of love and concern for a young man who was essentially a stranger impacted people from all over the world in a way I didn't think was possible in this day and age. Tyler made a larger mark on this country and indeed the world in his short life than any man can really hope to make in multiple lifetimes, at a time when our nation was facing the worst of the worst in the economy and people were struggling to get by, there was a glimmer of something bigger and better happening in a small town in Minnesota. A normal close-knit family's tragedy turned into something else, HOPE.... a renewed faith in our fellow man an amazing outpouring of love and decency in a world without these things. Thank you Shipman family for what you have done for us. May the good that has come from your tragedy lessen the pain from your loss and may Tyler rest in peace and his memory live forever.
Tim Pollard
[This message has been edited by Nazareth (edited 02-15-2010).]
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08:24 AM
DL10 Member
Posts: 2350 From: Bloomington IL Registered: Jun 2000
Parents weren't designed to lay their kids to rest and as a parent, it pains me greatly to think of what Tyler's mom and dad must be going through. I wish you both peace, now that you can be certain your son's suffering is no more.
To the Project Tyler folks; from the ones who donated a few dollars, to those who busted their knuckles on Tyler's Fiero - you have my utmost admiration and respect.
To Tyler; I've never spoken to you. I have never seen a picture of you. I didn't know you. To hear the stories and read the accounts of those who did know you leaves me marveling at how much brighter the last few months of my life could have been if I had been a part of helping to build your Fiero - your dream. Rest now chief, you did your part.
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08:53 AM
yellowstone Member
Posts: 9299 From: Düsseldorf/Germany Registered: Jun 2003
Sending a donation soon as I get home. My reguards to his family. Glad I could be a part of the build team, I would do it all over again in a heart beat.
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09:12 AM
Terry_w Member
Posts: 930 From: Fort Worth,TX Registered: Sep 2008
