of Little Rock, AR
February 4, 2009 - January 16, 2018
Tyler Owen Dannaway passed in the arms of his parents on January 16, 2018. Although he was only with us for nine years, the effect he had on his family, friends, and everyone he met was profound. He was diagnosed with autism and apraxia before his second birthday, and his work ethic to overcome the obstacles in his life is a model for everyone. He never complained about the extra work, going to therapy four times a week, or communicating through sign language, an assistive communication device, or the words that he could actually say. He worked hard and did it all with a smile that lit up a room and would flash his big, blue eyes at everyone around him.
As an advocate for autism and apraxia, Tyler took a front and center role in their awareness campaigns and frequently appeared on the local news and in magazines. He was an ambassador for Easter Seals of Arkansas and his story was featured in the documentary ''Haven's Road'' that helped raise thousands of dollars for Easter Seals. He and his family are eternally grateful to the teachers, therapists, and staff at Easter Seals for everything they did during his time there.
After graduating from Easter Seals, he moved onto Fulbright Elementary and started the next chapter of his life. While his tenure there was short-lived, his impact was not. His gentle nature and even keel were a perfect match for introducing his classmates to autism and the school would talk about his friends who would line up to play with him at recess. Fulbright Elementary was a home away from home for Tyler and the teachers, staff, and his friends helped make him the remarkable little boy that he'll always be.
He is and remains the driving force behind Autism Connections and the Tyler Dannaway Fund which seek to help parents and families affected by autism. He might be gone but his impact and legacy will live on through the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and anyone he met for more than five minutes.
Tyler is survived by his parents, Steve and Teresa Dannaway of Little Rock, his grandparents Jan and Sandra Dannaway of Little Rock and David and Rosemary Kraft of North Little Rock, aunts and uncles Doug and Carrie Dannaway of Edmond, OK; Karen Kraft of Chicago, IL; Kenny and Katie Kraft of Arlington, VA; Matt Kraft of Seattle, WA; and Scott Brook of Little Rock, his cousins Shannon and Kaylin Dannaway of Edmond, OK; and Collier, Gavin, and Nora Kraft of Arlington, VA, his best friends Luke Molsbee and Raylee Weglewski of Little Rock and his trusty sidekick Ziggy.
A Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 am Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic church with Monsignor Earnest Hardesty as celebrant. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. A visitation will begin at 5:00 pm followed by a Rosary at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 19, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church.
Pallbearers will be Douglas C. Dannaway, W. Scott Brook, Kenneth D. Kraft, Matthew J. Kraft, Justin A. Tackett and Nathan D. Molsbee. Honorary pallbearers will be the Second Grade Class at Fullbright Elementary School.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Tyler Dannaway Fund at #4 Fenchley Court, Little Rock, AR 72212.
Please, accept out words of sincere sympathy because of loss of Tyler.
Although his life was short we do believe that Tyler had a great positive influence on all he had a contact with.
Sorry that this note is belated but we've been "under a weather" for quite a while.
Sincerely,
Joanna and Ludwik Kozlowski
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Teresa and Steve.
Thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
My deepest condolences to you and your family, I worked with Tyler his last year at Easter seals. He was and amazing child. Really saddened my heart to hear about your lost.
I did not know Tyler but was deeply moved by his story . My thoughts and prayers go out to his Mom and Dad and all his family.. hoping the love and prayers will help you all heal and somehow comfort you during this time..
We are so grateful for the friendship you've given us over the years. I'm so thankful we got to know Tyler his short time on this Earth. Thank you allowing us be a part of his life. We just miss him terribly. I pray peace into your heart. May God hold you always.
Our deepest condolences. I wish we could have been there for the visitation but are out of town. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Tyler was a playmate of my sons, Joshua and Jake Watson, at Peds Plus and will be deeply missed.
I was sorry to hear about Tyler. I will keep all family in prayer
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We pray that our Heavenly Father will bring you comfort and peace as only He can do.
Such a heartbreaking tragedy to lose someone so young and so traumatically. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May his goodness continue through the work of his foundation.
Our hearts ache for you . Tyler, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Our Mass will be offered this Sunday at our parish in remembrance of Tyler, and please let us know if we can help in any way.
Warmest regards
Kevin and Kathy Bligh
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at Revelation 21:3,4
(3) "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. (4)
And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away".
Teresa, Steve & Dannahy and Kraft Families,
My sincere condolences to you. I was stunned to hear of the loss of Tyler. Heartbreaking, I cannot fathom how devastated you must feel. If there is anything I can do, just call, Again, I am so terribly sorry.
With sympathy,
Teresa Lovern
Our prayers and thoughts are with each of you. For Gods words says "Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven can't Heal". Tyler's Life, Love and Legacy will continue to warm the Hearts of many.
Our hearts are filled with sorrow upon hearing the news of your loss of sweet Tyler. We send our love and prayers.
Linda Ott and Family
Our Prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. God bless.
So sorry to hear of your loss of Tyler. We saw the report on CBS this morning regarding the flu and children and recognized your family. Sending love and prayers during this trying time. We will let Charlies siblings know of your loss. Love to all.
Steve and Jan
I am so sorry to here about Tyler. I did not have the privilege to know Tyler but I am sure he was loved by everyone who knew him. He is in better place now but I know he will be missed by everyone. I will be praying for you both and your family.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Know that God is with you at this time and you can lean on His love.
My sincerest sympathy Dannaway Family regarding the passing of Tyler. May your faith be your strength and comfort during this time. In my prayers...
I am heartbroken and so sorry for your loss. I have you all in my prayers and will continue to pray for Our Lord’s peace to fill your hearts and bring comfort.
It was of great Pleasure and Joy to have met Tyler through Scott, it was also an honor to have had the time I shared with him Scott would always let me know when he was going to talk with Tyler on the phone I just loved his smile, He will truly be missed. I Pray that everyone live up to what he did so that we can see him again with that GREAT SMILE. I will continue to Pray for the Family.
Sandra & Family; Our Prayers for the comfort of our Heavenly Father at this terrible time. I watched Teresa & Steve's video describing an exceptional young man. Sandra, we know you will miss him to the max. Thinking of you and your family
Walton & Yonnie
We are so sad to hear of Tyler's passing. You and your family will be in our prayers.
I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Wishing you and your family peace and comfort during this time of tumult and pain. I have never had the opportunity to meet Tyler, but my son was also diagnosed with apraxia when he was 2.
Steve and Theresa and Jan and Sandra,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious son and grandson. He leaves an amazing legacy for being on this earth such a short time. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Warmly,
Linda Stauffer, UALR
Steve and Teresa
Sorry for your lost. Tyler was a great young person with big heart and a big smile. Will miss our rides around the dealership on the golf cart. May all of us take comfort in what the scriptures promise at JOHN 5:28,29, based on that scripture we will see him again. Love you guys
I'm honored to have met Tyler through Scott Brook. He was an amazing child and always made Scott light up. He will be missed.
We are so sorry for your loss. My kids knew him from the halls of Fulbright. Praying for your family.
Josh, Nicole, Finley and Bauer Daniel
I only knew Tyler from my time at Easter Seals. But I will always remember his big eyes and amazing smile. I am sorry for your family's loss.
Tyler's curiosity and the delight he found in every discovery is a reminder to all of us to live in the moment. The pain of his loss is surprising and sharp; but, it will lessen a bit each time you recall his flashing blue eyes, his joyous laugh, and the special way he pronounced his words. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve and Teresa, and Jan and Sandy, and Doug and Carrie,
My heart hurts for you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know how Tyler had such an impact on everyone he met. Your family has always been such an example of love and strength for so many. Blessings be upon you all.
Brenda Padgett Bunch
To the Dannaway Family,
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you today and always in memory of your darling and precious son, Tyler. He was very blessed to have such a wonderful and outstanding family to love and cherish him and the marvelous blessing to have two of the best grand parents in you, Sandra and Jan. God already has prepared his residency in heaven, therefore, our blessing is that he is awaiting the arrival of you and the rest of God's saints for a glorious life together in the magnificent eternities. May God continue to bless, strengthen and comfort you is my prayer.
My heart goes out to your family. I am so sorry for your loss. Tyler was a beautiful person. You will be in my prayers.
My prayers go out to the parents and grandparents of Tyler.
The joy he brought to you will never be replaced. May God bring comfort and peace on the lose of this precious child. Answer our prayers with your comfort and guidance.
Dannaway family, on behalf of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising, we are so sorry for your loss and have been praying for your family since we heard the news. We are contributing to the fund in honor of Tyler and will keep you and the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Lois and I were so sorry to hear of Tyler’s passing. I too have a special needs brother and losing him would crush me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Reading Rev. 21:3, 4 and John 5:25 have always brought me comfort, and hopefully will do the same for you.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to each of you! Prayers going up for peace!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Tyler! I work with Dr. Dannaway at UA Little Rock and am so saddened by the news of Tyler's passing. What a legacy he left behind!
My heart breaks for Tyler's family and friends. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone. May God give you peace during this time.
My heart is broken for the Dannaway family. I don't have the words to express my sadness at your loss. God must have known how special Tyler was and he must have needed his help in Heaven. My prayers are for your family.
I am so very sorry your loss. May God be with you during this time as you grieve. Thinking of you and your family during this time. God Bless.
We are so very sorry. I wish we had had the privilege of knowing your precious son. I know God has a special place for him. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Lonnie & Renee
I’m still searching for words that I’m afraid will never come. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Tyler was such a bright angel. His infectious smile and big blue eyes remind me of my Nicholas. God bless you and your family. We will be praying for you guys!! Love you Teresa!!
I'm so very sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. Prayers for you and your family.
John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Tyler’s big heart and personality was contagious. My breaks for you and your family during this time. Im blessed to have spent the time with him that I did.
To all the Dannaway Family I want send my prayers and love. I cannot begin to imagine your loss. I cannot image there was a more loved child than your precious Tyler. You will be in my prayers.
I was heartbroken to hear of Tyler’s passing. I am praying for everyone that was touched by Tyler in his short life.
Blessings,
Mandy Farquhar, Speech Pathologist
You were a cool sweet kid and you will be missed by a lot of people even me I will miss you
Our prayers are with you all.
Condolences and Prayers! Go out to all of the family and friends of Tyler. ❤ Paniagua Family
As Tyler’s tribute so eloquently says, he was surely a blessing to all who knew him.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Tyler, but heard of his loving demeanor through Rosemary and David.
There are no words to truly convey my sympathy, but I will trust in God’s promise to heal the broken-hearted. Sincerely, Emily Davis
Our hearts are broken.....fly high sweet boy.❤️
Teresa, Steve, Sandra, and Jan,
We are deeply saddened by the sudden, unexpected loss of Tyler. There couldn't have been a more loved little boy in this world. He had the best parents and grandparents a child could have. Lean on God's strength. He WILL get us through our losses. Much love.