Blye McCallum

    Blye Garrett McCallum was born to Gary and Andrea McCallum in the early morning hours of April 26, 2005. He was a fighter from the very beginning, and it was something that stayed with him in everything that he did. He died April 27, 2018.
    His first of many adventures happened when he was only a few hours old, being loaded into a fixed-wing jet to take a flight with his dad by his side to Children’s Hospital. This was the beginning of his love for speed and fearlessness. If his mother said “no,” he was game. Nothing made him happier than to make his mother squeal in fear of what he was about to do.
    Blye had great support of family and friends from the very beginning. Everyone gathered to cheer him out of Children’s Hospital for his arrival home to a community of loving friends and family. After several months, Blye was back at Poudre Valley Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This diagnosis was never allowed to define Blye or to hold him back. His parents never once said to him, “This is something that you cannot do because of the CP.” It was always “How can we make this work so you can participate?”
    He spent many an hour of his first months of life in the loving arms of his Nana, Ruby Ruff. This was a bond with Nana that was never broken and was very dear to Blye. Much time was spent reminiscing about her and the importance of her in his life. There was never a family meal that was prepared that did not include a recipe from Nana, which was made with Blye’s supervision and help.
    Blye created lifelong bonds with many wonderful people. He loved his “Aunt Belinda and Uncle Bob” in Denver, and they were his home away from home. Many a night was spent at their home so Blye could be at Children’s Hospital the next day.
    Blye, with the support of the community, had the opportunity to fly to Germany for stem cell research. Many people came together at Phillips County Event Center to help him achieve this goal. “Blye’s Quest” sent him to Düsseldorf, Germany, where he was able to receive his stem cell treatment. Many hours were spent on the trains in Düsseldorf and eating homemade pizza from the little pizza shop by the motel. He charmed everyone there, including the staff at the motel. He loved the morning breakfasts at the restaurant and always looked forward to seeing one very special waitress.
    Blye’s adventures in schooling included Dragon’s Wagon Preschool and Holyoke Grade School. He loved all his teachers and especially loved making noises with his Dynavox. He found out that he could make some very disruptive noises with this device, namely in the bodily functions section.
    Blye loved Scouting and the adventures it afforded him. He loved to camp out and sleep under the stars. It did not matter to him if it was 90 degrees or 10 below — it was always fun for him, and it just added to the appeal. Nothing pleased him more than a campfire at a campout or in the fire pit in his backyard. He was a s’mores connoisseur and considered them to be a must anytime a campfire was made.
    Blye enjoyed being outdoors and especially loved participating in hiking, all shooting sports and swimming. It was discovered that a wheelchair can be taken down many a hiking trail by very determined Cub Scouts. Blye started his Scouting adventure with Wray Pack 35 and was a member of the Holyoke Pack and Troop 32.
    Blye spent many hours chilling with his friends, playing video games and watching movies. Gary and Blye loved to listen to loud music and drive fast. Blye loved to ride in the Ranger or on four-wheelers or to go Jeep racing all around. Many a race was held out at the Red Roof Ranch in Holyoke and the Daly Ranch in Wyoming.
    Blye and his dad, Gary, loved to torment his mom, Andrea, with anything grape flavored, which created much angst for his mother.
    Blye’s laughter and smile was so infectious, and Blye had the ability to always bring joy to whereever he was. He loved a good joke and loved to make other people smile. Nothing made him happier than blowing snot bubbles out of his nose and a good belly laugh. His love for playing cards and board games around the kitchen table was a great pleasure and created many opportunities for him to share a “beer” — root beer, that is — with the gang.
    Blye was preceded in death by his Nana, Ruby Ruff; great-grandma and great-grandpa, Mary Lou and Floyd Gift; grandpa, Richard McCallum; great-grandma, Julia Eastman McCallum; and cousin, Jordan “George” Mahnke.
    Blye left behind his mom and dad, Andrea and Gary McCallum, and his little brother, Bennett. He will also be greatly missed by his grandpa and grandma, Paul and Sheila Gift; grandma, Joyce McCallum; and great-grandpa, “Pappo” Lawrence “Sonny” Ruff. Other surviving family members include Andrea’s sister, Megan and husband Nate Schwarz and family, and brothers, Christopher and wife Shalea and family and Braden; Gary’s sisters, Darlene and husband Bruce Mahnke and family, Madelaine and husband Jeff Lamm and family, and Elaine and husband Gene Daly and family, and brothers, Mike and partner Misti and family and Glen and wife Ranae and family; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.
    The funeral service was held May 2 at the Holyoke High School gymnasium, with Pastor Gary Rahe officiating.
    Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.