Levi Michael Funk

Levi Michael Funk was born on the morning of January 27th, 1981 at Lutheran Hospital in Wheatridge Colorado. He spent his early years with his family living on Garland Street in Arvada. At 2 1/2 years old he celebrated the arrival of his baby brother Tyler. Levi's passion for flying was obvious at a very early age. His vocational course was set with his first few words''pairplane (airplane) and compeeter(computer).

He started school at Tanglewood Open Living where he thrived, and later transitioned to Jefferson County Open School, graduating in 1999. In 1993, the family moved to Lakewood to be closer to the school. While in highschool he earned his pilot's license and began his career path as a computer programmer. After graduation, he attended Metro State College in Denver where he was studying to become a commercial airline pilot.

While attending college Levi earned his living as a computer software programmer, working for a remarkable and caring company, Touchstar Software. He declared his independence in 2002 by moving into his first of two apartments, but returned to the family home when his illness was diagnosed at the close of 2004.

An extension of his passion for online computer gaming evolved into a new passion for racing cars. He became a member of BMW club and the Sports Car Club of America and made many wonderful friends. His pride and joy was a 1989 BMW he purchased in the spring of 2004 before his leukemia was diagnosed. He spent many joyous hours racing and working on this prize.

In November of 2004, Levi was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and fought a courageous battle for 19 months. The morning of June 21, 2006, about 5 minutes past the hour of midnight the angels came for our beloved Levi.
It was a beautiful moment, a harp was being played and all of his friends and family were singing. Levi took one final breath, tightened his eyes and he was gone.
Yes we can be sad for ourselves for our loss of such a wonderful child of God. However, Levi asked the we not be sad. And we should honor his request, we should instead be happy for him. He is in a land of love and joy, looking back and wishing we could be experiencing the sense of wonderment he is going through. He loves us all so much but he will wait on the other shore waiting for our journey to him with open arms and that beautiful Levi grin!!!


A Mother's Day letter from Levi to Retha.

Mom
It's nutty how much a year and a half can change things. If you had offered to do any of the things you've done for me - the things you've done, without hesitation or judgement, that would normally only be done to small babies and really old people - during the summer of '04, I would have thought you were kidding or trying to embarrass me.
Your limitless ability to do what ever I needed (quite often without me having to ask, which I appreciated a ton) during this whole adventure never ceased to amaze me. I don't think I had ever encountered such generousity as you've shown throughout this whole experience, and I don't think I'll ever feel like I can fully repay you for it, no matter how much you tell me it's not necessary. You've made every aspect of this disease a million times more tolerable than it would have been on my own. I love you and I hope nothing ever happens to diminish the bond we've strengthened over the past 18 months. Happy Mother's Day, you're the best there is.
Thank you.
Love, Levi