10 years ago today, a strong, brave young man lost his valiant battle with cancer. He was only a high school junior at the time of his passing, but he maintained his 4.0 GPA during his treatments and surgeries. Kyle Stutsman was born and raised in Exeter and has a huge family still in the area. He was a quick study in the classroom, the athletic field, and with technology. He loved to drive his red truck and make videos with his friends.
Kyle was a jokester and never lost his sense of humor during his battle. He kept his family laughing even when he was suffering. He inspired everyone with his strength. He never complained, he never felt sorry, and he constantly assured those around him that, “pain is weakness leaving the body.” His uncle tattooed that across his chest in honor of Kyle.
Kyle also loved basketball and met Kobe Bryant through the Make a Wish Foundation. In his honor, the boys on the basketball team and some of the Exeter High teachers all got pink mohawks to show their love and comradery. The school also got together for a memorial balloon release as well. They raised $10,000 for Relay for Life under the name “Team Kyle.” He was not able to spend a lot of time at Wilson Middle School and Exeter Union, but he made his time count, touching the lives of all he met.
One of his friends said, “Not one day went by where he wasn’t happy or having the time of his life.” While today is a sad day because of Kyle’s death, let it also be a happy day because we can all remember the wonderful person Kyle was and how his short life brought an entire community together. Hopefully he is looking down at us now, laughing and joking with those he loved.
Please share your memories of Kyle; show his family and friends our community is still with them and still loves and remembers Kyle.
Comment if you know anyone who should be featured on Grave of the Week. Please include any information about the person’s life and where the grave is located.
Please continue to like, share, and follow the Exeter Cemetery District and thank you to Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Exeter Kiwanis, The Sun-Gazette Newspaper, The City of Exeter, Kiwanis Club Of Farmersville, Kiwanis of Woodlake, for sharing