Ammon Cheney

To the reverent thunder of a humbling standing ovation, Ammon was welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father, Savior, and a host of family and friends. Ammon never did anything small, everything was an event, and the more people involved the better.  Ammon joined our family on October 20, 2005 to the sounds of medical equipment crashing to the floor and the shouts of doctors, with dedicated angel friends protectively watching over him.  The first months of his life were spent in the loving care of the NICU nurses at Ogden Regional Medical Center, with the last days of his mortal life in a similar fashion, among loving familiar friends in the PICU at Primary Children’s Hospital, wrapped in the strong and tender arms of his Mother and Father.

Ammon was dearly loved by his brother, Coleson, and sister, Brynn, both of whom made promises to him that they would care and prepare the way for him.  In return, Ammon promised to show and prepare the way for them on how to return Home and be a forever family.  Ammon’s favorite activities with his siblings were singing silly songs, cruising with his wheelchair, and reading fun books where Ammon could turn the page.  Whenever Brynn would tire of walking, she knew that Ammon would make space for her on the front of his wheelchair or next to him in his deluxe trailer.  Conversely, Coleson thrilled in pushing Ammon in his wheelchair with borderline reckless joy and the sounds of revving engines and screeching brakes.  During those times when Ammon was not feeling well, Ammon’s joyful smile and unconquerable spirit would always shine through the pain when Coleson and Brynn would snuggle up to him on his beanbag or climb into his bed for another treasured sleepover.  The unique love and compassionate understanding expressed between these three could not be contained and is impossible to describe in words.

Ammon was blessed with goodly parents.  From the moment of his first quiet breaths they loved him.  When difficult diagnosis after diagnosis were made, they loved him.  When Ammon was sick and resting peacefully in their arms through the quiet hours of long sleepless nights, they counted it a blessing and a privilege, and they loved him.

Summer, Ammon’s angel mother, developed shoulder and back muscles that any professional athlete would envy as each night she would tenderly lift and carry Ammon to bed.  Then in the morning, the same routine was followed.  A similar process happened dozens of times each day when his school bus arrived, when errands were run, and when she refused to leave Ammon behind for hikes through the mountains over boulders and trails.  Ammon was Mom’s most special buddy and were rarely found apart.  Ammon loved his Mom, and would always turn to her as she held his hand tightly or hugged him tenderly on her lap during difficult medical procedures or when he was scared.  Two angels, always together, changing the world.

Ammon looked forward to when Daddy came home.  With shouts of joy and eyes wide with anticipation, Ammon impatiently waited for the kisses, high-fives, and warm hugs to come.  As only Brian could do, when Ammon was not feeling well or didn’t want to eat his delicious meals, all it would take is the sound of Dad’s voice and all became well.  Brian was Ammon’s hero, because Summer had made him his hero.  But, truth be told, Ammon saved Brian, as he continues to save so many others.

Ammon frequently inspired his family to be his voice, to share his most difficult and miraculous experiences to bless the lives of others and fulfill part of his mission to restore faith, hope, and love.  It was not uncommon for those suffering to receive a letter from Ammon, and tearfully recognize that a prayed for tender mercy had been granted.  Even more special were those that were fortunate enough to receive a warm plate of Ammon’s Cookies.  Ammon was deeply loved by his extended family, his neighborhood family, his school family, his medical family, his CPA firm family, his Primary class, his friends in Fiji, and so many others.  The eternal experiences he brought to the lives of each of these loved groups were life changing.  On behalf of our family we express an inadequate thank you.  Thank you for loving him, for allowing his spirit to touch your heart and helping him to successfully fulfill his mission.  An especial thanks is required for our Banbury Ward family.  You have performed flawlessly and without compulsion throughout these wonderful years, in heeding the gentle whisperings of the Spirit.  You have been angels among us.

Perhaps the sweetest association that Ammon had was with his dear friends from school and in other settings.  It’s a bond that we struggle to describe in words, because even though many of his friends were generally unable to say Hello when Ammon arrived, they knew when a friend and a fellow spirit was among them.  I can say, that the bond is one of love and innocence, with no judgment or offense felt between it.  To all these special friends and their families, thank you for being an important relationship in Ammon’s life and ours.

We would particularly like to thank all of the good professionals and friends at Primarys over these many years.  Our sweet boy always broke through the necessary wall of emotion that a medical professional must have, particular in a children’s hospital, and through each of Ammon’s experiences with you we know you loved him, cried over him, and prayed for him.  Doctors and nurses would reverently express, “Ammon makes me feel good.”

Please come and be with Ammon and our family.  Funeral services are as follows:  A viewing will be held on Friday, August 19, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, which is located at 1867 N. Fairfield Road in Layton.  Ammon’s funeral service will be held on Saturday morning, August 20, 2016 at 11 a.m., at our Stake Center in our Syracuse neighborhood, which is located at 1350 South 1800 West in Syracuse.  Another viewing will be held prior to the funeral service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Syracuse Stake Center.  Following the funeral, Ammon’s grave site dedication will be held at the Syracuse Cemetery.