Brian was a sports enthusiast. All thru his younger years he played soccer, basketball and ran track. He acquired many trophies, especially in soccer. Several were first place trophies. Brian would watch any sport on television with great enthusiasm. Brian took his first job at Sears in the Parts Department when he was 16 years old. He worked there for about 2 years. He met the mother of his child there. He was very conscientious about his job and was a hard worker. His hobbies were golf, movies, working out (weight lifting and jogging), pool, and eventually his son (Zachary).

Brian moved out of our home after graduation in September of 1993 and rented an apartment with his girlfriend. He wanted to be there for the birth of their child (Zachary). Brian and Zach bonded very quickly. Brian loved his child dearly.

After 2 years, he and his girlfriend separated and Brian moved back home. Brian then took a job at Boise Cascade Lumber Company. He saw an opportunity and wanted to better himself. He worked in the warehouse and was looking forward to someday becoming Warehouse Foreman. Brian worked there for about 5 years and was considered an exemplary employee. He spent time with Zachary whenever he could. Zachary was over just about every other weekend and a month in the summer.

After about 2-1/2 years of living at home, Brian decided to move in with a buddy whom he had grown up with. Brian rented an extra bedroom. There was also another guy living there. Brian would sometimes call me and tell me that he felt like he was living in a”Sports Bar." Guys coming and going, drinking and sharing drugs! Brian wasn't into that kind of life. It bothered him, because he was used to getting 8 hours sleep at night to be able to get up and go to work. Brian met a girl and they dated for about 9 months before they decided to move in together. They rented a two bedroom house together. She was several years younger than Brian, and not quite ready to settle down. Brian enjoyed coming home after work, having dinner and watching television or renting a movie. His girlfriend always wanted to go partying. They separated after about 8 months.

Brian had an opportunity to apply for a position at Boeing, International in 2001. He left Boise Cascade and took a chance. He continued to try to better himself. Brian passed the grueling testing for a structural mechanic's position. He happily began work for Boeing in June, 2001. However, as a result of the September "911" tragedy, Brian was laid off in December of 2001, and in the same week, his girlfriend left him. He was devastated. Brian decided to move back in with the same buddy he had lived with before. This was the beginning of Brian's demise. He was 24 years old at that time.

After a few months, I encouraged him to move back home. He was ready. The friend who owned the house where he had previously lived entered into a Methadone Clinic in an attempt to get off of some of the other drugs he was addicted to. Brian had already become addicted to Oxycontin and was introduced to methadone and decided to try it. This is what killed him. Brian died from toxic poisoning (not overdose) from this KILLER drug, METHADONE!

I, Brian and the rest of the family had a wonderful Mother's Day dinner together. I thank God that I have the last memories of him sitting in the restaurant with his arm around me. He told me how much he loved me before we parted that night. Brian hugged and kissed everyone before he left with his girlfriend that night. We left the restaurant around 9:00 p.m. Brian said he was going to his fiance's apartment to watch movies and would be home later that night. He seemed all right. He never made it home. He was found the next morning sitting on the floor of the apartment, slumped over, dead, poisoned from 1 (one) 40 mg. tablet of methadone and two (2) 10 mg tablets of diazapam. He had been looking thru DVD's. He loved to watch movies. He had poured a glass of milk, which he did every night, and made a sandwich. There was only one bite taken out of the sandwich. The medical examiner said he died around 1:30 a.m. The methadone that he took was sold to him by a guy who was registered with a methadone clinic. This guy is continuing to sell this deadly drug, in addition to other drugs, and also allowing 10-year old children to come to his house to smoke marijuana! Despite of all my efforts to take this guy down, he is still out there doing what he has been doing for 15 years.

Drugs can absolutely devastate a family. The person's priorities change, their demeanor changes and they usually can't kick the habit by themselves. Brian tried several times. I watched my son go thru hell trying. I went thru hell watching him. It reached a point where my son did not want to be on pain pills. I tried to get him to enter a facility, but he just had too much pride, he told me if he couldn't do it on his own, he would get outside help. My son died approximately 3 weeks later on May 9, 2005.

I lost my precious only child and my best friend. I loved him with all of my heart and soul. It's been more than two years and still yet it seems like yesterday. My family and I take comfort in the Lord which comforts us. We also know that Brian is very near!!! He is with us each and every day in our hearts.