Obituary of Brandon Dyer

Brandon Mathew Dyer, 19, was taken from us Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010. He was born July 30, 1991. We have so many wonderful memories with our son. Growing up he enjoyed and excelled in baseball and football. He also enjoyed just hanging out with his friends and his cousins. From a very young age, he loved going fishing and camping, more recently, going to the shooting range with Dad. Brandon was the kind of kid who was always able to find a way to have fun, no matter what the situation may have been. He and his brother, Trevor, had a very special bond. From the time Trevor was a baby Brandon found ways to have fun with him. As Trevor grew, they found even more ways to have fun … or, ways to get into trouble together! Brandon had a typical "little brother" relationship with Aric; always picking on him, making fun of him, and making sure he knew he was the lowest on the Dyer male food chain! However, he also helped coach Aric's baseball teams. Aric always knew Brandon loved him. Unfortunately, Brandon didn't get much time to spend with his baby sister, Kira, but she knew he was her Bubba and she was his "Little Rascal." From a young age, Brandon wanted to join the Army. He committed to joining his senior year in high school. He worked hard, both physically and mentally, preparing to enlist the year before he joined. He left for Basic Training on Aug 10, 2009; happy, determined, and ready to become a Ranger serving our country in the United States Army. He did very well in the first six weeks of Basic Training, until the point he became ill and was diagnosed with AML (Leukemia). Brandon never complained through any of the events that were to follow - chemotherapy, endless procedures, and most of all, the unfair reality of his own situation. The last three months were extremely trying; yet, he heroically fought life-threatening diseases and transplant rejections. He even defied odds that stunned some of the finest doctors in the country. Brandon was a soldier within; he always remained optimistic, no matter how small the odds became. His strength and courage amazed everyone that knew him. We could not be more proud of our son, who lived every minute of his life as a good and courageous being. Brandon is survived by his loving parents, Mathew and Angela; brothers, Trevor and Aric; sister, Kira; his paternal grandparents, Ben and Celia Dyer and maternal grandparents, Ike and Ginger Schultz, both of Sacramento, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.