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LOVELAND — One of his fellow cross country runners called Luis Manuel Reyes Mon an angel. Another friend said Manuel never once judged him.
Dave Nicholl, who officiated the memorial service Monday before more than 800 people at Resurrection Fellowship to celebrate the life of Manuel, who died Wednesday in a car crash while driving to school, said Manuel once told one of his best friends that when he died he wanted his Facebook status changed to, “Chillin' With Jesus.”
On his Facebook page, Manuel wrote: “some say Im a runner, some say Im a bass player, some say Im a drummer, some say Im a genius. What am I? Im just me.”
Although Manual, 17, a Windsor High School junior who lived in Dacono, was a student at the high school for just a year and a half, he touched many lives as proven by the number of students, school district staff and community members who turned out for the memorial service.
Windsor High School cross country/track coach Ross Wilbur, who also teaches history at the high school, said Manuel quickly became the heartbeat of the cross country team not because he considered himself anything special but just because of who he was. Wilbur said Manuel was also a gentleman who would open doors for anyone.
Nicholl, the student assistance coordinator for the Windsor-Severance Re-4 School District, described Manuel as an inventive, bright student who never complained about anything, loved others and gave everything he could from his heart the best that he knew how. Nicholl also said Manuel loved to play jokes on his younger sisters and did it all with that contagious smile on his face.
Manuel's humor wasn't reserved for his sisters. Manuel said he was employed as a spy for the Central Intelligence Agency on his Facebook page.
Hannah West, his close friend who ran cross country with Manuel, told those gathered at the service that Manuel fits the description of an angel.
“Manuel was the most pure and holy person I ever met. He was so nice and sweet to everyone,” Hannah said. “He was a beacon of hope and happiness in life.”
Hannah said that although Manuel is no longer here, he will never be gone.
“He has touched so many lives during his 17 years,” she said. “I'd like to thank his parents for raising such an amazing son.”
Another friend of Manuel's, Alejandro Mendoza, teared up as he told those in attendance that Manuel was determined and caring to say the least.
“Combining the two resulted in a friend that can never be replaced,” Alejandro said.
Alejandro said a final wish from Manuel would be for everyone to, “live your life with love in you heart ... and simply live.”
Windsor senior Andrew Heyer, 17, was in the same chemistry and biology class as Manuel.
“He was always hard working and always had a smile on his face,” Andrew said. “From what I've seen from him, I trust that he's in good hands.”
Nicholl said death at such a young age never makes sense, especially to the students the same age as Manuel.
“It touches their hearts. They're real kids with real relationships,” Nicholl said. “The impressions and the difference that he made on people's lives is unbelievable. He wasn't perfect, but he was pretty close.”
Wilbur said the thing that was special about Manuel was his tremendous kick at the end of each race.
“Manuel finished every race with such a tenacious kick,” Wilbur said. “He found that energy. He found that passion. He found that determination and drive. What I will take from Manuel and the vision that will stay with me forever is the kick.”
Wilbur said he'll never forget Manuel and concluded this message that summed up Manuel's short life of 17 years: “Anything you care about, anything you love, anything you're passionate about — finish it with a kick.”
Dave Nicholl, who officiated the memorial service Monday before more than 800 people at Resurrection Fellowship to celebrate the life of Manuel, who died Wednesday in a car crash while driving to school, said Manuel once told one of his best friends that when he died he wanted his Facebook status changed to, “Chillin' With Jesus.”
On his Facebook page, Manuel wrote: “some say Im a runner, some say Im a bass player, some say Im a drummer, some say Im a genius. What am I? Im just me.”
Although Manual, 17, a Windsor High School junior who lived in Dacono, was a student at the high school for just a year and a half, he touched many lives as proven by the number of students, school district staff and community members who turned out for the memorial service.
Windsor High School cross country/track coach Ross Wilbur, who also teaches history at the high school, said Manuel quickly became the heartbeat of the cross country team not because he considered himself anything special but just because of who he was. Wilbur said Manuel was also a gentleman who would open doors for anyone.
Nicholl, the student assistance coordinator for the Windsor-Severance Re-4 School District, described Manuel as an inventive, bright student who never complained about anything, loved others and gave everything he could from his heart the best that he knew how. Nicholl also said Manuel loved to play jokes on his younger sisters and did it all with that contagious smile on his face.
Manuel's humor wasn't reserved for his sisters. Manuel said he was employed as a spy for the Central Intelligence Agency on his Facebook page.
Hannah West, his close friend who ran cross country with Manuel, told those gathered at the service that Manuel fits the description of an angel.
“Manuel was the most pure and holy person I ever met. He was so nice and sweet to everyone,” Hannah said. “He was a beacon of hope and happiness in life.”
Hannah said that although Manuel is no longer here, he will never be gone.
“He has touched so many lives during his 17 years,” she said. “I'd like to thank his parents for raising such an amazing son.”
Another friend of Manuel's, Alejandro Mendoza, teared up as he told those in attendance that Manuel was determined and caring to say the least.
“Combining the two resulted in a friend that can never be replaced,” Alejandro said.
Alejandro said a final wish from Manuel would be for everyone to, “live your life with love in you heart ... and simply live.”
Windsor senior Andrew Heyer, 17, was in the same chemistry and biology class as Manuel.
“He was always hard working and always had a smile on his face,” Andrew said. “From what I've seen from him, I trust that he's in good hands.”
Nicholl said death at such a young age never makes sense, especially to the students the same age as Manuel.
“It touches their hearts. They're real kids with real relationships,” Nicholl said. “The impressions and the difference that he made on people's lives is unbelievable. He wasn't perfect, but he was pretty close.”
Wilbur said the thing that was special about Manuel was his tremendous kick at the end of each race.
“Manuel finished every race with such a tenacious kick,” Wilbur said. “He found that energy. He found that passion. He found that determination and drive. What I will take from Manuel and the vision that will stay with me forever is the kick.”
Wilbur said he'll never forget Manuel and concluded this message that summed up Manuel's short life of 17 years: “Anything you care about, anything you love, anything you're passionate about — finish it with a kick.”
