Braxton Garner

Braxton Garner

July 6, 2003 ~ July 30, 2021

On July 6, 2003, Braxton entered this world with a loving spirit and the most beautiful blue eyes. Braxton enjoyed spending time with others, playing on electronics, dancing, going for rides in the car and valued a good meal. Braxton’s idea of a perfect day was eating hot dogs with his loved ones. He found joy in the simple things. Braxton blessed the Bernal family when he joined their home in July of 2019. Braxton was born with MECP2 duplication syndrome. Despite the many challenges Braxton faced throughout his life he was a light and teacher to those he met. Braxton had several people who loved him, below are thoughts of Braxton from some of those people:

Matt Gunderson: “He loved everyone-maybe not as much as their phone or Ipad lol.”

Austin Morris: “He was the personification of love and acceptance.”

Lorin Gunderson: “A beautiful smile with a mischievous look in his eye as soon as he saw your phone.”

Alyssa Smith: “His drive to interact with people despite his suffering was inspiring. He was resilient, and through the tears, he always danced to the music.”

Finley Bernal: “His expression of happiness anytime he had company. Even through all the pain, his smile was super contagious.”

Jamie Bernal: “Braxton never gave up. He loved life to the fullest. He is so strong. His connection with people meant the world to him, he loved being around family. He loved the earth and would look at everything outside and take it in. He enjoyed eating. Braxton has a calming and big spirit. He never let his condition define him, he loved music and dancing. Braxton’s light was so big that when you walked in a room you would know he was there. When you looked into Braxton’s beautiful eyes you would connect, and with that connection came so much knowledge and it was in those moments everything in life made sense.”

Samantha Bernal: “This earth has been blessed with a soul so deep and pure, with his endless love that will carry on way past his years. Through his trials and hardship Braxton led by example teaching and showing what love truly means.

Junior Bernal: Braxton broke my bed doing what he loved, jumping and dancing. Braxton loved MOD Pizza and I know he will feel better with his Heavenly Father. I loved to snuggle and dance with him.”

Mike Smith: “The light and happiness he brought to the people around him was contagious. Although his body worked against him, it was obvious how much he loved life. Every sound smell, taste and touch he experienced was relished with the utmost joy.”

Terrie Gunderson: (Braxton’s favorite person/grandma) “Braxton and I connected as soon as I met him. He had a spirit that was much too large for his frail body. As people who loved him talked to him over speaker phone to say goodbye when he was in the hospital, I heard again and again how grateful people were for what Braxton taught them. As Braxton neared the time of passing from this life while in the hospital, it seemed as though his handicaps were slipping away. After he passed Heidi, Matt and I stood in AWE. We saw on the bed before us a beautiful young man with no frailties. We knew we were seeing Braxton who was whole in body and mind as well as spirit.”

Josh Donnelly: “Braxton and my son danced the days away while I ran around switching the tablet and Ipad back and forth because they had to have each other’s.”

Gabe and Heidi Bernal: “We are so thankful we got to be parental figures for Braxton. We truly loved him as our own and learned so many simple lessons from him. Life always took so much from him, but that didn’t change the twinkle in his eye, his love for others or his ability to find happiness in all situations. We love you and will miss you forever until we see you again.  May you fly with the angels our sweet, beautiful boy.”

Ethan VanDam: When I would walk into a room with Braxton in it I could feel his love before he said anything.

On July 30, 2021 Braxton returned home to his Heavenly Father. I imagine he was greeted by Grandpa Wayne Gunderson, Orion Gunderson, Jocelyn Coleman, and Able Robel along with many others. When Heavenly Father said, “welcome home my son” he an into his Savior’s arms and was told, “Well endured my son.”

The Bernal family would like to thank the Intermountain Hospice team, Primary Children’s Hospital, North Utah Pediatrics, all of his teachers throughout the years, Make a Wish Foundation, Rainbow Kids, palliative care team, and the DCFS caseworkes that worked with Braxton. With a special thank you to Melissa McDonough from DCFS who worked beside Braxton for years and pushed to make sure that his best interests were met with care and compassion.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Friends may visit on Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden.

A luncheon will be held following the services at 1560 North 200 West, Harrisville UT 84404-2833.

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