2025 Tour Local Honorees for Fredericksburg
Clayton Sparks – Organ Donor
Clayton Sparks was a compassionate man who touched many lives during his 24 years. In January 2019, he was involved in a tragic skiing accident.
Known from a young age for his kind heart and desire to help others, it came as no surprise that he had chosen to be an organ donor. Through this incredible gift, Clayton helped over 80 people and saved five lives through the donation of his major organs.
His parents, Larry and Beth Sparks, have formed a special bond with Reid Gray, the recipient of Clayton’s liver. Reid and his wife, Abby, have six year-old twins Oliver Clayton and Kaylee June. These special children have brought renewed joy into the Sparks’ lives. Though they lost their son, Larry and Beth gained a new connection and lovingly embrace Oliver and Kaylee as their grandchildren.
Clayton’s legacy lives on through the lives he saved and the relationships his selfless act made possible.
Michael Timothy Steele – Organ and Tissue Donor
Michael signed up to be a donor when he moved to Gatesville in 2021 and updated his driver’s license. He died unexpectedly on June 27, 2025. Since he had already made this important decision, it was easy for his family to follow through with organ and tissue donations.
Michael will be honored at the Lone Star Circle of Life event in Fredericksburg on Saturday, November 8th. The event location and time are to be determined. Please check the website for updates at LSCOL.com. We invite you to join us in celebrating those we honor!
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Mark Smith – Organ Donor
Mark was an Air Force Veteran and an entrepreneur who provided employment opportunities to many. Being an incredible fitness enthusiast, he challenged himself as a certified scuba diver, participated in an AT&T Austin Marathon, Freescale Austin Marathon, Motivate Bison Half Marathon, 3M Half Marathon, RunTex 20, Turkey Trots, Survive Thrive Prevent 5K, Bike MS: Texas MS150, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and Lake Pflugerville Triathlon just to name a few.
Mark was passionate about being an organ donor. He was the first donor at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Round Rock, Texas. His organ donations provided the immediate “Gift of Life” for three people and other organs were utilized for research. He was honored by the amazing hospital staff, along with TOSA staff, many friends, and family with an “Honor Walk” before passing peacefully surrounded by family on June 21st, 2024.
We were Blessed to have met Chance Sebek, a two-time LSCOL team rider, those final days and he offered us comfort with his own story and experience how organ donation had given the gift of life to his daughter.
Adrian Camarillo – Organ Donor
Adrian Camarillo died in 1994. Thirty years ago, little was heard about organ donation. Now, however, much has changed and exposure of organ donation and educational information is reaching more and more of the public.
Adrian had mentioned to his mother he wanted to make a mark in this world one day. He was a kind, fun loving and giving 18-year-old young man. He had come home from college and went with his buddies to see the home town football team play. On way back home, there was an automobile accident. Adrian’s mom got the call at 4 am from Wilford hall hospital – a call no parent wants to ever hear. “Come right away – Adrian has been in an accident and is seriously injured.”
The doctors tried endlessly to save Adrian. It’s a myth that if you sign to be a donor the hospital will not try to save you. Adrian lay in that hospital bed as if asleep. The doctors said Adrian’s injuries were to his head, and after several tests, it was determined that Adrian was brain-dead. A short time later, Adrian was a multi-organ donor, saving many lives.
Adrian left his legacy. He did make a mark in this world.
Jacob Krebs – Organ Donor
Robert Schuller once said “Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” God planted the seeds in your heart and there are an infinite number of hearts (lives) you touch every day when you become an organ donor. Since Jacob died, being an advocate for organ donation has become very close to my heart.
My son, Jacob, died 12 years ago at 18 years old. Chasing his dream of being a Navy SEAL, he was just a couple months shy of graduation and beginning his military career in the Navy. He was physically and mentally sharp and ready to serve his country. He was an Eagle Scout, also on the State Track and Cross team.
Jacob had gone to the Wellness Center in Fredericksburg to train with his swimming. He would swim several hard laps then would stop, look at his watch and see how long he could hold his breath. Unfortunately, he held his breath for too long and passed out. Jacob drowned that night.
He was airlifted to University Medical Center in San Antonio where he was hooked to a ventilator. I told Jacob to hang on God wasn’t finished with him yet, but on the third day, we knew the inevitable. The doctors told us Jacob was brain dead and there was nothing medically that could be done. Then God thumped us on the head and we remembered Jacob was an organ donor. Jacob was 17 before he got his driver’s license. When we went to the drivers license office, Jacob asked if he could be an organ donor. That’s my Eagle Scout. Do a good turn daily. Pay it forward. Even in death, Jacob lives a legacy of service.
As difficult as it was, on the last day at the hospital, I kissed Jacob, told him good bye, told him I loved him, and walked away. God gave me Jacob as a gift and I knew I had to give Jacob back to God. God healed Jacob’s lungs and even after he drowned. He granted miracles for those on the transplant waiting list.
Jacob saved the lives of four people that day and we’ve recently found out 104 more people in 19 different states have been gifted by Jacob’s allografts. Wow, talk about the number of apples in a seed. You not only touch the recipient but their families and friends and communities through their gift of life.
The youngest recipient is 15 and has part of Jacob’s tendon. The oldest recipient is 81 who received a transplant for spine repair. Jacob’s vertebrae was grafted into a lady who is no longer in pain and has more mobility. Life after transplant can be filled with health and vitality, no matter what the age.
Ever since Jacob was little, he wanted to be a soldier. When Jacob made his decision to be a SEAL, we told him he should have a Plan B, in case it didn’t work out. So he decided he would be a medic and fly in helicopters to rescue wounded soldiers. Jacob never got to Plan A or Plan B, but David, his lung recipient was a medic in Viet Nam and flew in helo’s to rescue wounded soldiers.
We’re at peace with Jacob and we know exactly where he is. As a soldier, he was ready to do what he needed to do to get the job done. Even give up his life. Being an advocate for donor registration has now become part of my journey. Jacob was buried in his Eagle Scout uniform, he was there. I could see him and touch him. And, Jacob is buried on our property.
They say time heals, but the timing of death is not unlike the ending of a story… it gives meaning to everything that preceded it. We don’t close the book on Jacob’s death. We use it as a life lesson to grow in our faith and build character. And when you ask why, put your faith in God. Eventually He will reveal Himself to you.
Dillon Roberts – Organ Donor
Dillon Roberts was only 14 years old, but he lived every single day with joy, adventure, and love. He was the kind of kid who made the most of life—whether it was laughing with friends, spending time with his family, or simply enjoying the little things that made him happy. Dillon had a smile that could light up a room, and a heart that was always open to others.
When tragedy struck, Dillon became a hero through organ donation. At just 14, he gave the gift of life to five people by donating five of his organs. Dillon’s generous spirit lives on through each of those lives, a reminder that even in loss, hope and healing are possible.
For his family, Dillon’s story is more than just about donation—it’s about the boy they loved so deeply, who lived life to the fullest and left behind a legacy of love. They are proud to share his story, to keep his memory alive, and to remind others of the incredible impact one life can make.
The Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour rides in Dillon’s honor, carrying his story forward with every mile. Dillon is remembered not only as a donor hero, but as a son, a brother, and a young man who embraced life wholeheartedly. His laughter, his love, and his spirit continue to shine through his family, and through the lives he saved.
Dillon Roberts lived a life full of love, joy, and the kind of giving that will never be forgotten.
Michael S. Walter – Organ Recipient
October 29, 1970 – April 12, 2021
Michael Walter was a wonderful husband, father, son, coach and absolutely the biggest cheerleader and fan anyone could ever have.
Before he was 30, Michael was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, for which there is no known cause or cure. His first organ transplant was on Valentine’s Day 2002. About a year later, surgeons attempted to correct an artery problem damaging the donor liver. Their efforts failed, he grew very ill and needed a second transplant. Miraculously, he got the call on St. Patrick’s Day 2003 that they had a liver for him. The first transplant involved 1 major surgery. The second transplant entailed 9 open-and-close surgeries that meant a much longer, bumpier road to recovery.
Michael worked hard to go from someone too weak to get out of bed to someone who was an athlete. Sheer determination and drive transformed him into a stellar example of the quality of life that could be achieved after transplant. To honor his donors and their families, he became a global ambassador spreading the word about the need or organ donations and the success of organ transplants.
In 2005, he joined Team USA and competed in his first World Transplant Games in London, Canada. He would go on to ultimately win more than 25 gold medals (plus many silver and bronze) by competing in 4 World Transplant Games and as a part of Team Texas in 7 Transplant Games of America (formerly the U.S. Transplant Games).
He set records in long-distance swimming – an event that most transplant athletes shy away from because it requires endurance. Whether it was in the pool, on his bike, at track and field events or whatever “fun” sport he added to his schedule, Michael constantly challenged himself to beat not the opposition, but his own best times. He was a fierce competitor, but you saw his true heart when he’d win a race, but stay in the pool cheering home the swimmer who was struggling just to finish last.
Perhaps Michael’s biggest joy was in team sports, including volleyball, basketball, pickleball and tennis. He was at home with others as the captain of the swim team or coaching the basketball team when he could no longer risk further injuries on the court.
He was his teammates’ biggest fan. He gave pointers on how to improve for those who wanted it, but he and his family would be your biggest cheerleaders, too – all showing up and supporting you with their smiles and sideline cheers. If Michael was having a bad day, physically (and there were plenty of those) – you would never know it. His friends and family were so inspired by Michael, they named the cycling studio at the local wellness center after him.
He went from being a patient the transplant team later confided they didn’t think would survive to being their poster boy, literally. The Dallas hospital has a photo display of Michael and one of his medals hanging in the liver transplant clinic to inspire other patients facing the transplant journey.
Michael lived his life to the motto: “Live Like You Mean It!” He did that every single day to honor the selfless gifts he was entrusted with and took fabulous care of during his 19 “bonus” years. He positively impacted everyone he met along the way. He may be gone now, but his legacy lives.
Taylor Castro – Stem Cell Patient
Even as she waited for the peripheral blood stem cell transplant that was her best chance for a cure, Taylor Castro was thinking of others. “If we can’t find my match, but we can find for somebody else, that’s — it really is good enough for me,” Castro said in a December 2018 interview.
The young mother of three was diagnosed in October 2018 with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, an aggressive blood cancer that left her tired and unable to work. She was unable to get the transplant she needed and died on Apr. 28, 2019, less than a week away from her 26th birthday.
Throughout her own struggle, Castro used her story to urge others to join the National Marrow Donor Program, which could provide her and other patients fighting blood cancers and other blood diseases with their best chance for a cure. Taylor also advocated for the community to donate blood as she and other patients needed transfusions regularly.
Even in death, Castro continues to inspire others. The “Team Taylor” Facebook page posts frequently about the importance of registering as a donor and donating blood and plasma, and over 10,000 people have used Castro’s code or link to register as stem cell and marrow donors.
Mark Negro – Searching for a Kidney Donor
Mark Negro, although a diabetic, had always been active and athletic., but on 2019, after taking his dog for a walk, he experienced trouble breathing. His wife called 911 and when he got to the hospital, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to fluid around his heart and lungs. The next day, a nephrologist diagnosed stage 4 kidney disease, which had caused the fluid to build up around his heart and lungs.
Mark has been on dialysis and the transplant list since 2021. He is now actively looking for a kidney donor and pursuing a living donor.
Joe Miller – Heart Transplant Recipient
Joe Miller sustained a reaction to anesthesia at a young age which damaged his heart. As his heart aged, it continued to weaken, eventually necessitating the support of a pacemaker/defibrillator.
While in Waco in November of 2023, he went into acute heart failure and his implanted defibrillator could not restore his normal heart rhythm. He was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, where his failed heart was replaced by that of a still-unknown donor.
After transplantation, he learned about the transplant Games of America and Team Texas. While still healing from his surgeries, he was able to attend The Games in Birmingham in 2024 and participate as basketball coach for Team Texas. He has since participated in events to help bring awareness to the life-saving modern miracle of organ transplantation and to honor the memory of his donor.
He enjoys more time with his wife of 32 years, while training to compete in the 2026 Transplant Games in Denver.
David Menchaca – Organ Donor
Our beloved son, David Menchaca, was a loving and creative young man whose bright light shown through each and everyday.
David’s passion for music became evident at an early age. He began violin lessons at the age of four, performing with YOSA for 1o years before joining the Trinity University orchestra. Music came so naturally that he quickly learned to play guitar, piano and saxophone. When he wasn’t playing an instrument, you would readily find him building with Legos or hunting down classic Hot Wheels to add to his collection.
A 2019 graduate of Trinity University, he majored in English and enjoyed writing, completing a series of short stories and news articles, published in the Trinity Review and Trinitonian student newspaper. He began the graduate program in Creative Writing at UTEP in hope of obtaining his master’s degree.
Understanding its importance, David made the conscious decision to become an organ donor when registering for his driver’s license at the age of 16. In August of 2021, at the age of twenty-four, David gave the ultimate gift to seven donor recipients, two cornea recipients, and others with his tissue and organ donations. One of David’s gifts has made a lasting impact on our family; David’s liver saved his uncle’s life.
Although our son is no longer with us physically, he is with us in spirit and lives on through the lives of those he helped to give a second chance.
Brenda Lee – Organ Recipient
My story began on Christmas Morning 2013. I was excited because all my children and grandchildren were here for Christmas. I started feeling bad, throwing up and then started getting a burning in my chest. My daughter decided I should go to the hospital. The pain was getting worse and the EKG and blood work showed I was having a heart attack. They sent me to SanAntonio where they found that my arteries were almost completely occluded. The doctors told us I needed a heart transplant. We were all shocked to say the least.
A few days later, my breathing began to become more difficult. They put a balloon pump in and moved me to Methodist Hospital where I was to have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) put in to keep my heart pumping until I could get a transplant. The day before I was to have that done, I had arrhythmias and eventually quit breathing. They administered CPR and shocked my heart. My doctors took me to surgery to put in the LVAD. I coded again before and twice after the LVAD was put in. They told me my heart looked like a brown paper bag. I was intubated, gagging and choking and couldn’t breath on my own. I had enough, so I told my family to unplug me – It was time for me to go be with Jesus. I hugged and kissed all of them and said my goodbyes. They pulled the breathing tube out but I still had the LVAD so was breathing on my own. I told my daughter to turn it off. The nurse stepped in at that point and told me everything looked good, my numbers were good and to give it one more day and I said “OK I will do it for, (as I pointed to each of my family), you and you etc.” My family told me it was like Joan Rivers came on the scene and I was cracking jokes and making them laugh. They left that night and thought what just happened, they had seen a miracle. God had kept me here for a reason.
I was put back on the transplant list and in June, they called and said they had a heart. I went to the hospital, prepped for surgery but they did one more test showed I wasn’t a match. That heart was meant for someone else. Two months later, I got the call again. We were a little calmer knowing it may or may not be a match, but this time it was a perfect match. After surgery, I was told I had received a great heart that started beating on its own when it was put in, which normally doesn’t happen. I knew I was supposed to have this precious heart.
My family was there helping take care of me and my husband stayed by my side all the way. On October 28, 2018 I was blessed to meet Casey’s, my heart donor’s, family. They are a wonderful, loving, caring family and I know one day when I get to heaven I will meet Casey and be able to tell him thank you for giving me life.
Chad Jones – Organ Donor
Our Forever Organ Donor SuperHero
June 15th, 2009, our world changed forever when our amazing son, Chad Jones, lost his life as the result of a motorcycle accident at just 21 years old. Only two weeks before his accident, Chad and his sister, Jessica, watched Seven Pounds — a movie that deeply moved them both. That night, they made the decision to register as organ donors. None of us could have imagined how soon that decision would turn into the greatest act of love and compassion Chad would ever give.
Through his selfless gift, Chad gave the gift of life to others — and in doing so, he became our family’s true SuperHero. His courage inspired us to create the Organ Donor Hall of Fame, a place where the legacies of donors, recipients, and advocates are honored and celebrated. The Organ Donor Hall of Fame exists to remind the world that from the depths of tragedy can rise hope, healing, and new beginnings.
Every story shared, every life touched, and every donor honored through the Organ Donor Hall of Fame is a continuation of Chad’s light. His spirit lives on, not just in the four special people he donated to, but in every person who chooses to say “yes” to organ donation because of his example.
Chad’s legacy reminds us all that love never ends — it multiplies. Forever remembered. Forever honored. Forever our SuperHero. We are deeply grateful to the Lone Star Circle of Life Tour for honoring Chad and sharing his story — and for continuing to celebrate the heroes who give the ultimate Gift of Life.
~ With Love, from Chad’s Mom, Sheree; his sister, Jessica; and his Dad, Michael.
Frank Parisi – Heart Transplant Recipient
Frank’s wife writes, “Frank developed a mild lingering cough in January of 2023 following what appeared to be a viral infection. The cough persisted and he consulted with several doctors and was misdiagnosed as pneumonia. His condition worsened significantly and he was admitted to the hospital where he was again misdiagnosed with sepsis. Frank was transferred to Baylor Scott & White in Temple where we learned that Frank had been actually been suffering from heart failure and he nearly lost his life. Thankfully, the cardiothoracic team in Temple was able to stabilize Frank, but by the time he was properly diagnosed, his heart was beyond recovery. He was placed on the transplant list on May 31st. On June 2nd a match was found and Frank underwent his heart transplant on June 3, 2023. He has been blessed with a second chance.
A year after the transplant, we learned that Frank’s donor was a 19 year old girl named Callie who passed away in a car accident. Callie’s dad invited us to attend his marriage renewal vows and we got to meet Callie’s siblings and celebrate the day with them. Callie’s stepmom is a nurse and brought a stethoscope and Callie’s family was able to listen to her heart. It was emotional to say the least. There will never be enough words to express our gratitude to her and her family.
Since receiving his heart transplant, Frank has been determined to cherish every moment and to be a voice of hope for anyone who is going through hardship. He has spoken to countless transplant recipients, offering encouragement and support with his particular knack for emboldening people to believe they can live their best life no matter the circumstances. He has written a book, does speaking engagements, and has a very active social media presence. He encourages everyone to look at the gift in what they are going through and what they are going to become because of it. Perhaps most importantly, he does not take a minute for granted when spending time with our eight-year-old son. He has an unrivaled passion for helping others embrace abundance and is grateful to be honored by Lone Star Circle of Life.
Bella Serena Sanchez – Leukemia Patient
Bella Serena Sanchez was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at seven months old. She was born in Laredo, Texas and fought childhood cancer four times in her short life here on earth. She earned her angel wings at two years and four months old.
Even though it has been almost seven years since beautiful Bella has left us, she will forever be in our hearts. The NMDP continues to share her story and honor her memory. She continues to inspire others to join the NMDP registry. Her parents, Ray and Betsy Sanchez have a non-profit in their daughter’s honor called Smiles from Heaven.
Emery Lyn Ramos – Searching for a Marrow Match
Emory is six years old and battling leukemia for the second time. She is from Kingsville, Texas and loves Disney princesses, makeup, Bluey, and is just adorable and quite sassy!
The NMDP has not found a match for her yet but is working hard to find her the best match.