Prayers & condolences to AM "family member," pal

[AztecFemBone]

pal's 18-year-old son died unexpectedly on Jan 13 of an aneurysm. Article from the U-T:

m.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jan/17/outdoors-kidney-donor-lebowitz-martinez/

A reminder that life's short; hug your loved ones often and tell them you love them. pal, my deepest condolences for your loss. Peace be with you.

In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider making a donation in James' name to:

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Gift Processing Department
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768

[Azthetic]

Thank you for posting. Saying a prayer for the family now. Can't imagine losing my daughter.

[twobits]

I can't imagine how hard that would be to lose your son or daughter.

My buddy is in hospice care right now at age 48...saw him last night and then went home and hugged my son. Enjoying the time I have on this planet with the ones I love.

[Dave L]

Thank you so much for sharing this Sarah. What an amazing story that I hope everyone on here reads. I cried through the whole piece.

One of the nice things about forums like this is that people can (and usually do) post anonymously so they can speak their minds. One of the sad things about that is we really don't know most on here very well...and we have no idea how amazing some on here are.

Paul, I don't think we've ever met but you an absolute hero who protected us abroad and raised a hero at home. Thank you for sharing James' story and of those heroes (especially your wife Susan) at home who supported James in school and beyond.

James was an obvious inspiration to many and will continue to do so through the lives he has saved...and the good they will do with the help of their "angel".

I had no idea you could make some of the decisions you made on your own...especially using Facebook. Obvious quick thinking during a life and death situation. I guess I should expect that from a U.S. Army Specialist.

God Bless you and your family.

[onelittleindian]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family on a very special life lost.
As someone who is on a transplant list himself it's even more inspiring that in your darkest moment you thought of others giving them a gift that there is no sufficient amount of thanks can cover to compensate for your personal loss.

[junior]

Thanks for posting. Should be stickied for awhile so that those who aren't always here get to see it.

There are no words that can console a family who loses a one of their own - particularly one of their children.

No one is ready for it, no one expected it, and certainly no one ever dreamed it could happen.

This one was obviously ready to fly on his own. And in his own way, now he will.

I just wish it didn't have to be without his parents …

[pal]

Thank you for your kind words.

James was a dedicated SDSU Aztecs basketball fan. He had no choice really. I am an SDSU grad. My wife Sue is too. Daughter Rachel followed our path, actually 'graduating' twice - once from the campus child care center and a second time with a BA. Sue and I even married on campus at Scripps Cottage a long while back. Many good things in our life flowed from the institution that is SDSU.

"It'll be all right, the Aztecs got this," James told me at the 2011 conference tournament semifinal vs. UNLV when the game got tight, and he was right, as the Aztecs won at the buzzer, dispatched BYU and Jimmer Fredette the next day, and eventually made it to the Sweet 16 and a 34-3 record.

Last year, when the Aztecs came from way back to beat New Mexico at Viejas to secure the conference championship, James celebrated on the floor with other ecstatic fans. I had visions of my son joining The Show in their antics, but he followed his own path to Cal Poly Pomona despite his SDSU letter of admission. It's okay; they're little sisters at best. I immediately forgave him, but told him he could forget about getting me into one of CPP's mustard and gold logo sweatshirts.

This year James made it to three home games over winter break. It was so good to have him back. When Dwayne Polee collapsed, he sat in stunned silence. We both felt for Dwayne's mom and dad. Now I can imagine their worst fears only too well. On our final phone call just hours before I lost James, we talked about this year's team and their growth pains, and schemed of ways to get him to Vegas. My wife has yet to take off his Cal Poly sweatshirt. He had the good sense to buy one in the alternate colors, green and black. Considering how well Cal Poly Pomona treated my son, as a close member of family despite his one short quarter living on campus, you just might find a green and black CPP tee on me, hidden under my red and black.

[aztecryan]

So sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts.

[The Aztec Panther]

I am truly sorry to hear about your loss, Pal. That is so far beyond what any parent is prepared to deal with - I just can't imagine.

[aztecshane01]

Gut wrenching.

I've followed the Aztecs on various iterations of this board for a decade or so, but never really been one to post.

Paul, so sorry for your unfathomable loss and inspired by the strength and selflessness in the way that you and your family are handling it. Don't have a lot of words for you, other than to say my thoughts and prayers are sincerely with you and your family. I'll hug my son with a little more intensity and perspective this morning with James on my mind.

[AccessBowlTime]

God bless. May he rest in peace.