Tyler Ballentine

Tyler Ballentine was a remarkable young man, of such great talent, grace and character. He was such a rare individual, and an even rarer teenager, so comfortable in his own feelings and in his own skin. He was a great athlete, and a great student, but an even better son, brother, and friend. There is much about this world we don't understand, but this much we do: Tyler was a truly gifted young man, and such a great gift to us all.

Tyler's story began on the cold New Year's Eve twilight of 1990, as people everywhere celebrated the year that came and went, and the year about to begin. That year brought much to celebrate across the globe, as East and West Germany reunited, Nelson Mandela was freed in South Africa, and the U.S. and Russia began their march toward lasting peace. By the time the ball came down that evening, Jeffrey and Crisi Ballentine had another reason to celebrate in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with the birth of a beautiful baby boy, a son they named Tyler.

Tyler was a special child right from the beginning, and his mother called him a "Blue Moon baby," because someone so special only comes around once in a Blue Moon. Tyler eventually became a big brother to his twin brothers Alex and Bryce, and sister Shawnie filling their home with plenty of energy and love.

Tyler was an exceptionally sweet, precocious and curious child, who often got very frustrated if he couldn't master something on the first try. When you're born with the natural ability and intelligence Tyler possessed, though, most things come easily.

Tyler's athletic ability was obvious from an early age, when he started playing T-ball. He developed a love for the game, and became a talented first baseman. As he got older and grew (and grew) to 6-feet-2, he could stretch out to catch the ball without taking his foot off the bag. Always so uniquely talented, Tyler was also ambidextrous, and could bat or throw right or left-handed, a great skill to have in baseball. He became so good, in fact, he was selected to play on the Portage All-Stars Team, an accomplishment he was so proud of. Another highlight for Tyler was being able to go watch his hero, Kalamazoo's own Derek Jeter, play for the Yankees at Tiger Stadium.

As much as he loved baseball, it couldn't hold a candle to Tyler's first true love, skateboarding. He began skateboarding at an early age, and it was always the activity he was most patient in learning. He never got discouraged as he learned new tricks, rather, he relished the thrill of the challenge each new trick offered him. Together with his inseparable best friend, John Phelps, he would spend hours honing his skill on the board, until he became so good it seemed as though the board was simply an extension of his long frame.

Tyler loved the sport of skateboarding, and endlessly watched extreme sports on TV, when he wasn't tuning in to MTV's "Pimp My Ride," next to his mom. They'd talk about how cool the cars were, before Tyler would inevitably bring up his dream car, a cherry-red Mustang GT convertible, his favorite since he was a little boy.

Tyler had many other loves, too, though. He enjoyed fishing at the many different lakes in Portage, or of course, just listening to his iPod, which was constantly playing in his ear, the private soundtrack to his life. He also loved to eat tacos, burritos, or a heaping plate of fettuccini alfredo. His favorite food, of course, was peanut butter, just like his dad. Tyler put it on everything, even his popcorn! It was good protein for the growing athlete, though.

As athletically gifted as Tyler was, he also excelled academically, too. He made all A's and B's in school, even in his advanced classes, with seemingly little effort. His favorite class was Language Arts, although he was also skilled in drawing, and created some beautiful artworks.

Tyler had many good friends in high school, and made friends easily with his outgoing personality and an infectious smile, a bright beam that could melt hearts. Tyler's closest friend, of course, was John Phelps, who grew up in Tyler's neighborhood and became like a brother to him over the years. Tyler got along with everyone, though. Three of his other friends, Taylor, Tyler and Lance were also like an extension of Tyler's family. They all shared an intense love skateboarding. He was always a great communicator, and never made any enemies in his life. He always had more than enough personality to spare, and was happy to share it with everyone around him.

Tyler had a great sense of humor, too, and loved to kid and tease his little brothers and sister. Sometimes he'd tease them quietly, to the point where they'd yell "Tyler!!" hoping to get him in trouble. Tyler would just flash that trademark smile of his and reply, "I did nothing."

That wasn't true, of course. Tyler always did plenty, at whatever it was he set his mind to. There was no doubt a young man so talented could have been anything he wanted to be, and he lived his life that way, being whatever he wanted to be. More than anything, Tyler was truly his own person, at a time in people's lives when so many desperately want to be someone else. He was a young man who was never afraid to show his affection for his parents or siblings in front of his friends, and was just as happy hanging out with his parents on Friday night as he was with his friends. He was always his own person.

Sadly, Tyler died on Sunday, August 20, 2006, six days after the car accident that also killed John Phelps and Adam Sagara.

Tyler was a remarkable young man, a young man of limitless potential and a bottomless love for others. He was a "Blue Moon baby," the rarest of individuals, and the most beloved of sons. There is so much in this world we can't understand, but this much we do: Tyler was a gift to us, a gift we will cherish and love and remember forever. He will be greatly missed.

Tyler Ballentine, age 15 of Portage, died Sunday August 20, 2006 in Kalamazoo from injuries he suffered in an automobile accident on August 14, 2006. He was born December 31, 1990 in Kalamazoo. Tyler was getting ready to start his sophomore year at Portage Central High School. He loved to play baseball and spend time skateboarding with his friends. Learn more about Tyler, view his life story film and visit with his family and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. both Thursday and Friday at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Portage 5975 Lovers Lane at Milham where funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Members of his family include his mother and step-father Crisi (DeVries) and Sean Brady, father and step-mother Jeffery and Lainie (Bottger) Ballentine, his brothers Alex and Bryce Ballentine, his sister Shawnie Brady, his grandparents Jack and Nancy DeVries, Jack and Linda Brady, Bill and Kay Ballentine, Penny and Bill Gearhart and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Please visit Tyler 's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a donation to the Tyler Ballentine Fund at Portage Commerce Bank.