In Memory of Damion Michael Brinkley Dunn Oklahoma

We got my nephew Damion a spiderman to put at his tree. I made this video because it's been one year since he was taken away.

http://www.geocities.com/iamakaylet/damiondunn.html

A life remembered

Family looks for healing a year after 3-year-old's homicide

John A. Williams
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — "I'll love you forever,

"I'll like you for always,

"As long as I'm living

"My baby you'll be."

From the children's book by Robert Munsch.



The words from the popular children's book grace the little boy's grave. His nickname was Widget, short for wee-midget. The bright, little 3-year-old was all boy and he loved pretending he was a different superhero every day, especially Spiderman. His favorite playmate was his Uncle Austin just four years older than him. He called him "Ausin."

"He was always running around," said his grandmother Lynn Jenkins. "He loved 'pow pows'. He called the superheroes 'pow pows.'"

Now Jenkins is finding ways to treasure the memory of her grandson. Today is the one-year anniversary of Damion Dunn's death. Family members and loved ones will gather at Gracelawn Cemetery to remember a spirited life cut short. Instead of flowers, lollipops and pins wheels with personal messages decorate his grave.

One year ago Dunn died at Children's Hospital. His mother's boyfriend, Jeremy Lakey, is scheduled to stand trial next month for allegedly beating him at the couple's Edmond apartment. Police reported a 3-inch fracture was found in the child's skull.

But it's not the trial nor the death the family wants to focus on. It's the life of a little boy who was loved and even after death touches others.

His mother, Sarah Brinkley, said every time she sees a butterfly, she thinks of her little boy.

"There are some things that happened out at the cemetery. My daughter had a butterfly land on her and she says she's never had that happen before," Jenkins said.

Her brother's softball team made Damion its mascot and dedicated the season to his memory. "Their season was the best season, they only lost one," Jenkins said. "They call him their angel in the outfield." As the team huddled together they threw their hands in the air with the rally cry "Widget."

At Christmas, mom and grandmother found two little boys who had struggling moms to sponsor for the holidays. Jenkins said she and her daughter would like to dedicate a playground in Dunn name, but don't know where to start.

Every family member has their own way of coping with the loss. Some find it difficult to face the day, others, like his Uncle Joshua, keep their thoughts to themselves. But Jenkins finds it comforting to listen to the song "Return to Pooh Corner," a song Dunn's mother sang to him at night. Mostly she looks at pictures, writes messages to him on a Web site and remembers the little boy who continues to live in loved one's hearts.

"Some things in life just aren't important anymore and some things are more important when something like this happens," Jenkins said.

"You tend to view life differently."

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Damion
• Michael
• Brinkley
• Dunn
• Murdered
• Child

[marsupilami76]

where was his mother when this boy was being abused? didn't she have a clue this was going on? I'm so sorry for your loss.

[IAmAKay]

She had been living with this guy for six months with his three year old daughter. She had people spy on him to make sure he wasn't doing anything to Damion. On the day he was murdered she went out to the store for 15 mins and this guy just lost it and killed Damion. His 3 yr old daughter witnessed it. The sad thing is she didn't bring Damion because she didn't want to risk leaving him in the car where something might happen to him but this happened instead.

[SarahStu2]

My heart broke for your family when I heard this. He came in with his mom to the thrift store some times and he was absolutly beautiful. It's been 3 years and everytime I drive by the cemetary I think about him rather then my family burried there. I'm so sorry for your loss and this was a great video to remember a special kid whose life was taken too soon.

[IAmAKay]

Thanks

[munchkin521]

My heart goes out to you. My grandson died at 3/ 1/2 months from SIDS. It's so hard to understand how you can be so careful and they leave on the wings of Angels anyway.

Hope you are finding peace...

[IAmAKay]

I'm sorry to hear that, SIDS is such a scary, horrible thing

[niecie44]

aww im so sorry for your loss.. god bless the little angel soul as he flies freely in heaven.. some people really piss me off.. that bastrd should get the death pennalty!!

[Metalmark4]

I have a young son and I can only imagine your pain. I hope you can find peace one day.

[incidious13]

I have never thought a piece of media would hit me this hard, worse yet the real monsters that do exist in our society. Heal with all blessings to you and your family.

[IAmAKay]

He was three years and five months old, he would have just had his sixth birthday last Feb 1