Student remembered as motivator, mentor
By Larissa Robinson

To his family, radio-television-film freshman Michael David Meyer was a natural motivator, and he inspired everyone he met.

Meyer died March 23 at Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville of a brain aneurysm.

He was 26.

Meyer was born in Del Rio to David and Josie Meyer.

His mother said he was happy and active as a child and kept her on her toes.

She said she could remember losing sight of him while out shopping one day.

"I found him hiding behind this lady in the store," she said. "I was always chasing after him."

Meyer had been living on a ranch in Floresville with his aunt and uncle while taking courses at this college.

His aunt, Mitzi Morris, said he loved learning about new things.

"I used to tell him that he consumed knowledge," she said. "He and I would fight over the Sunday newspaper."

Morris said her nephew loved movies and could tell her anything she wanted to know.

"If something had to be done, I had to be careful not to ask him about a movie because he would tell me everything," she said, laughing.

He also was a gifted writer and would participate in poetry slams in and around San Antonio, she said.

His brother Greg Meyer said he would put a lot of energy into his performances on stage.

"You could not only hear his words, but feel them, too," he said.

When it came to school work, Meyer was very disciplined and well-liked by his instructors, Morris said.

Anthropology Lecturer Anthony Lyle said he was helpful to his classmates and had a high interest in anthropology.

Math Professor Liz Lennon said he had an A average in her class.

"He was a very nice and cheerful person and easy to work with," Lennon said.

RTF freshman and classmate Paud Rodriguez said Meyer always made him laugh.

"He sat behind me in class and he was always making jokes," Rodriguez said. "He seemed to be living life to the fullest."

Josie Meyer said her son loved everyone and enjoyed helping people.

"We are so proud of him," she said.

"He lived a short life, but he outlived us," she said.

After his passing, Meyer's family decided to have his organs donated.

"It's something that he would have wanted, and I'm glad we decided to do it," Morris said.

Meyer was buried at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery in Brackettville.



Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour
San Antonio

Michael David Meyer was the first person to be an organ donor at Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville, Texas. Our son Michael had the most beautiful soul and spirit. It was almost impossible not to see what a kind and caring young man he was. Michael had a smile that was as big and grand as his heart. He was dedicated to his family, friends, his writing and especially devoted to God. Michael was brave and a fighter for human rights and human dignity, and a defender of the weak. Our son died on March 23, 2005 at the age of 25.

Don't Mark My Grave with My Name

These eyes will close, yes, they will and never open to see
what will become of brothers and sisters.
Don't mark my grave with my name.
I am nameless, labeled Mike just to be called out, to distinguish me from you.

Let it be passed by word of mouth that Michael is dead!
"Yes, he is!" Let's celebrate a life lived
and mourn his departure because he will be missed.

Let it be passed from generation to generation
That where I lie is where I die over and over
every time my name is whispered near where my bones lie.
Let your children hear from your mouth
the stories you heard from my mouth
and tell them to pass it on to their children
that where I lay is where I am still alive.

Tell your children your stories, so that when they grow old
They will pass your memory to their grandchildren
and their grandchildren will have stories to tell the world.

When I die don't let them mark my grave with my name.
My name isn't all that I am, nor will it ever be.
Just mark my grave with a story, told and told again.
So that you nor I will be forgotten, but remembered in word,
because our voices are all we have.
If we don't tell each other our stories then how will we have history?

Without history, how will we have a future?
Without a future, how will we have a now?
Without a now, how will we ever live?
Without ever living, how will we ever die?

I want my grave to be a journey, a story that others seek,
Because they've heard about an unmarked grave of a man
Who wants people to remember where his bones lay.
So, please don't mark my grave with my name.

Written By: Michael D. Meyer
December 17, 2002