Jeremy's Biography

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Jeremy's Story

Jeremy David Desmond was born on March 20th, 1978 in Panorama City, California. He weighed 8 pounds. Jeremy had a mis-shaped head for the first several weeks of his life -- he looked kinda like Tweety Bird.  Soon  Jeremy was an adorable baby -- with big beautiful blue eyes and curly brown hair.

Jeremy's Aunt,  Sarah Jean,  was only 10 weeks older than Jeremy.  Jeremy and Sarah looked like little twins -- they both had curly hair and blue eyes. This close relationship was something special between Jer and Sarah. They remained extremely close until Jeremy's death. Jeremy had talked to Sarah on the phone only hours before he died. [At right, Sarah and Jeremy - 2 years.]
 
Being the only grandson allowed Jeremy to hold a special place in Grandma Jeanie and Grandpa Mel's lives.  Having had five daughters - it was quite a change for them to have, as their first grandchild, a bouncing baby boy.  After that, Grandma Jeanie said, "I'll take granddaughters from now on.  That's what I'm used to."  Well, so far that's all she has - granddaughters.  However, she adored Jeremy and wouldn't have traded him for the world.  He seemed to be the only one who could make a sandwich taste good during her six months of chemotherapy.  Maybe it was just the fact that he was pampering her that made them taste so good.

Family was very important to Jeremy.  Less than a month before his death, Jeremy brought his Aunt Jeanene and Aunt Laura with him to Roswell to visit the family.  They teased him unmercifully - but he loved every minute of it.  He belonged to everyone in the family it seemed.  When the Desmond family lived in California Jeremy would travel to Ada and Ozark, Arkansas to spend his summers with his Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Jeanene, Uncle Darrel, Aunt Laura, Uncle Mike, and his cousins Rachel and Leah.  Jeremy also had an Aunt Leah, Uncle Zeke and cousins Cristina and Cori in California. As well as Uncle John, Aunt Gloria, and cousins Richard and Christy.

Jeremy called his mom everyday - at least once.  He would check in or tell her what he was doing or what was going right or wrong.  He always ended his conversation with "I love you.  Tell dad and Julie Hi."  One of his friends asked him why he always told his mom that he loved her.  The friend said that it didn't mean anything if he said it every time.  Jeremy told him that you never know when it might be the last chance you get to say it.  During their phone conversation on the evening of January 13, 2000, the last words he would say to his mom were, "I love you."



Jeremy began school at Pine Ridge Elementary School, near Shaver Lake, California. During his years at Pine Ridge he made straight A's and also was an accomplished track star.  In fifth grade the Desmond's moved to Auberry, Calif. and Jeremy began attending Auberry Elementary School. Jeremy continued to make straight A's, and run track, he also played several other sports, including baseball, and football.  Jeremy graduated from Auberry Elementary in 1992. He was voted "Best Personality" in his class. Jeremy began high school at Sierra High School. Jeremy played varsity tennis during his freshman year. Jeremy decided to play football during his sophomore year. After football season ended, the Desmond's moved to Van Buren, Missouri and Jeremy began attending Van Buren High School.  Jeremy became a very accomplished baseball player at Van Buren.  During the summer between his junior and senior year Jeremy decided to move to Ada, Oklahoma, in order to pursue better opportunities in sports and education. Jeremy attended Ada High School during his senior year. He played baseball for the Ada Cougars. Jeremy graduated in 1996.
 
After high school Jeremy was unsure what he really wanted to do with his life and where he wanted to attend college. Jeremy explored many schools before deciding to stay in Ada and attend East Central University. Jeremy changed his major several times before settling on English. Jeremy was an excellent writer.  We found many poems and songs that we had written among his things. 

Jeremy worked at the Ada Airport for General Aviation Modifications INC (GAMI.)  Jeremy always love airplanes and flying. Jeremy always wanted to someday become a pilot.

Jeremy enlisted with the Air National Guard in September of 1997. In December he went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The Air Force saw Jer's leadership potential right away and assigned him as the element leader. We had the privilege of going to San Antonio to watch Jer graduate from basic training. We were so proud of him. After graduation, Jer stayed at Lackland AFB to attended tech school. Jer trained to be an Airlift Operations Specialist.  Jeremy then continued to serve one weekend a month at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City. He was a member of the 137th Airlift Wing.  In the summer of 1999, Jeremy and his unit traveled to New Jersey. In addition, in the Fall, Jeremy got to play the part of the Airfield Manager in a training video. All of his fellow Guard members started calling him the Airfield Manager after that. Jer even had a shirt made that said Airfield Manager.  Jeremy was looking forward to running a twenty-six mile marathon for the Guard and traveling to Japan in the summer of 2000 with his unit.  Everyone in the 137th unit loved Jeremy.  At his funeral, they volunteered to conduct a military funeral -- complete with a Twenty-One Gun salute, presentation of the American Flag, and the playing of Taps.
 

 Last Updated August 3, 2008. Created January 24, 2000

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"How To Know God' from Greg Laurie/Harvest Ministries