I can remember hiking in those early years. He couldn’t have been more than 6. I would start the journey thinking he would make it 20 minutes in and inevitably ask me to carry him, and certainly there were those times. However, at times he would push his little 6 year old legs for miles. It was beyond impressive. From the beginning his sturdy body was built to withstand all this world could throw at it. And yet, as he grew older you could sense a kind of fragility in him. Not weakness, an unwillingness to bend. As with many kids, his journey across these dark waters started far too soon. For many years he struggled with the harsh realities of this world. Forever the warrior, he made his way. He would have his days in the sun with all of you, and those eyes would return if only for a while. 

Through this all, that innate caring held strong within him. A caring that would manifest when he would find something or someone suffering and lend them his strength without limit. This led him into the military where it seemed he had finally found his purpose. Sending a child into that maelstrom is at once a terrifying yet revelatory moment. A moment you realize he has chosen a fate and is willing to face that oncoming storm alone, and that all he asks is for your trust. He faced that storm in the manner he faced everything he chose, with resistance, strength and a desire to confirm in himself that which all but he could see. Beauty! Unfortunately, fate would turn its keys unlocking yet another path through a new door and his military career would be cut short by a car accident. 

He returned to us with what seemed renewed purpose. Plans for his future, dreams and possibilities. I remember his smile in those early days back, his laugh. We would go shooting and he would instruct me on all he had learned and of course correct all my “civilian” habits. It is a beautiful thing, the realization your son has become a man. That he no longer asks you to stand in front of him against the oncoming storm, but beside him. His journey through those dark waters would continue, however, and his resistance would harden. His eyes would grow tired and on the morning of April 19th, 2024, our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend would take fate into his own hands and begin a new journey. 

I love you kid! 

We love you! 

You are missed beyond measure my boy! 

In the echos of the times we missed & the echos of the times we had I remember your smile!

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/rafe-donoho/obituary/

Copy