BELLVILLE — The day before Clear Fork senior Grant Reed passed away, a classmate’s parent, Ali Carter, was organizing a “Wear Gray Day” in support of the teen.
When she learned that Reed, who gained national attention for nicknaming his tumor “Michigan,” died Sunday morning at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, she decided the event should celebrate his life.
“It’s really hard for everyone, so I thought this would be a way for everyone to remember him,” Carter said. “We want to show his family and the community that we love him, and he’ll continue to be an inspiration to us.”
Reed was diagnosed with medulloblastoma (a type of brain tumor) in 2012, and the community rallied around him ever since. Classmates have often worn gray — the the color for brain cancer awareness — on designated days. More than 50 members of the Clear Fork Valley community gathered in December for a prayer vigil. Even former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer visited the teen. Former University of Michigan football coach Brady Hoke weighed in his support in the battle with cancer, too.
Sunday, in what he called the “hardest post I will ever have to make” the boy’s father, Troy Reed, shared the news about his son’s passing.
“He won his final victory over M*CH*G*N because it can never hurt him again,” Troy Reed wrote.
He explained that an MRI showed Grant’s tumors were aggressively growing and the treatments were no longer effective.
“Therefore, when Grant’s condition began to worsen last evening, we elected to not pursue any aggressive interventions, but (to) keep him comfortable. I believe he felt no pain,” Troy Reed noted. “I have said many times, God’s plan is perfect, even when it’s not the result that we pray for. Grant is at peace and will never feel this earthly pain at all.”
He believes his son will be welcomed by his friend, Lu “in heaven’s teen room” and all of his great grandmothers.
“Grant touched so many lives in his short time on this earth and was loved by all who met him,” Troy Reed said. “God blessed me by allowing me to be his dad, but I fear I learned more from him than I ever taught him. He was the strongest warrior that I ever met and fought like a champion until the very end.”
Carter, who has five children in the Clear Fork district, echoed these sentiments. As the owner of Gusto Images Photography, she met Grant while photographing the school’s football games.
“He was always a great guy to be around. He was always happy despite everything, and everyone loved him so much,” she said.
She would often stop to give him a hug before the games, and later when walking by they’d exchange high fives.
“Grant was always really excited about the game. He was always there supporting the team,” Carter said.
The “Wear Gray Day,” organized by Carter was meant to be held on Monday, Feb. 11 at the school. But when school was closed for inclement weather, the day was rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Carter encourages the entire community to get in on the event and to share photos of themselves on social media with #grayforgrant. She hopes to collect the images and create a collage for Reed’s family.
Funeral arrangements haven’t yet been finalized, but Troy Reed said he’d share them with the community when ready.
“The last six years and nine months were a journey that strengthened our family and our community and brought us all together and Grant was the one that bore the brunt of it,” Troy Reed stated. “He was a man among men and I pray that everyone who he touched never forgets his spirit.
“We thank you all for the prayers and support through the years and know that God did answer our prayers. He welcomed Grant into his glorious kingdom.”
