Ride 4

Today I ask that your ride for our sister, Valerie Green Whorton who could no longer bear the pain of this life on earth. Please continue to teach others there is another way.

Colton McBride was the type of person that lit up the room when he walked in. His smile was infectious and he could turn anyone’s bad day around with the sound of his laughter.

My name is Sarah. I have battled with depression and mental illness now, for over half my life. I am not a victim. I am a fighter. I choose not to suffer; I choose fight. It is NOT easy… Everyday is new journey… I don’t want my illness to win. Even though, it may just feel so easy to run to a permanent decision, for a temporary feeling. It takes one moment… Just one pause … You are not alone in your thoughts and behaviors… Find a source to talk to… I find that 988 is great! Don’t be afraid to talk.

Ted was the husband of my first cousin Phyllis. They met while teaching for the department of defense education activity (DOEDA) in Heidelberg, Germany. Throughout that twenty-two-years he was much loved and admired by students and fellow educators, a common result of his personal qualities.

A former employee, colleague and friend! Lezlie was so passionate about helping others. I will be forever grateful for her impact on Tarrant County and starting the first LOSS Team in Texas! My thoughts and prayers continue for Chris and Madalene Culver!

My dad, John Townsend, died of suicide in 2010 between my freshman and sophomore years of college; my younger sister was in her sophomore year of high school. At home, we watched our dad struggle with bipolar disorder throughout our childhood and growing up, a secret that he tried to keep to himself. To those on the outside, our dad was normal, a pillar of the community even.

His fraternity brothers called him “brother Pancake”. One of his Lambda Chi brothers has this to say; Dan was blessed with an over-abundance of empathy for others. Anyone’s struggle or hardship deeply affected Dan. Whether it was the heavy weight of poverty within an underserved community to the survival of the Tibetan culture amidst systemic persecution, Dan wanted to help and make a personal difference. He was passionate about almost everything, but even more personally emotionally invested when he met someone undergoing unjustifiable misfortune. Once Dan understood a person’s troubled circumstances, it became his personal call to action to help. He used his intelligence to take the time to fully understand a different perspective, and then adopted that perspective as his own. We will never forget his passion and empathy.

Two nights ago I received a call from a 20yr friend. Oddly over those twenty years we only saw each other literally a couple of

Paul was the son of my friend and business partner Don…

“Blessed are those who mourn, for you will be comforted..” ~Matthew 5:4

I ride for Bobby Mendez, my high school bestie who left us all way too soon. Even today, our class continues to honor him and pass on to his son how much he meant to everyone who knew him. He made a difference in this world.

John Watts was a good friend in graduate school…

29 Years of Amazing Gifts.

Andrew Pillow was a brother of mine who died by suicide…

My beautiful son struggled with depression and anger…

My best friend Connor McCarthy….

Jerry was the husband of my cousin Edna…

I am riding for Ruffin King Jr of Charlottesville…

I RIde4 my cousin, RIckey Rice…

I Ride4 my sister, Jordan Harris…

I am also riding for my friend John Hammond…

I Ride 4 Abbey Ehrler…

Roy was a happy child…

This is the speech that I shared at Charlie’s memorial service:

In 2018, our oldest son Matt, took his life.

Tanner Ray French left those who love him so on February 21, 2011 at the age of 19….

Susan Deufel. Submitted by her brother Andy Deufel

Matt was a gregarious fun loving 28 year old that was always the life of the party.

My wife Lezlie Culver passed by suicide on July 10, 2021.

I ride for Sean Thornton, the son of my cousin Joe…

My dad Gary was only 38 years old when he died by suicide…

I ride to normalize talking about mental health.

I ride for my daughter Jordan Elizabeth Harris who died by suicide in 2012…..a beautiful, bright, incredible human being who wanted to change the world for the better by helping others. She was a blessing to us all…..

It’s incredible how often we hear about fatal victims of suicide & depression…

Gabe Klein and Stephen A. Vincentini: submitted by their mothers.