Michael Gilmore was a fun-loving, carefree, outgoing 24-year-old. In April, 2010, police discovered Michael in his apartment, dead of a gunshot wound. Police are still searching for the killer. One of Michael's journal entries read, "The meaning of my life is to help others...I was put here to help people some way or somehow." Before Michael got his driver's license, he told his mom he was going to be an organ donor. "Why shouldn't I? I won't need them," he told her. Michael's legacy will continue to live on through the donation of his vital organs, giving others another chance at life.

Michael's Story

Michael Gilmore was a fun-loving, carefree, outgoing 24-year-old. His almost-permanent smile was a tipoff on what to expect: someone who loved to joke around and always seemed to have something funny to say.

He graduated with honors from Central High School in West Helena, Ark. in 2004. He had been a member of the JROTC and the Cougar football and track teams, and his athletic skills earned him many awards. He had an inner drive to play and do his best always.

After graduating with an A.A. from Phillips Community College, he enrolled at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. His mother, Jerlene, told him to learn something he loved. Considering her advice, Physical Education seemed the perfect choice. In addition to class, Michael worked as a referee in the school's intramural sports program when he wasn't working at Walmart. He would have graduated in December 2010 had he not been murdered.

In April, 2010, police discovered Michael in his apartment, dead of a gunshot wound. He was airlifted to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. Police are still searching for the killer, with very few clues and no suspect. His family knows of no one who would have wanted to harm Michael. They only know Michael is gone.

Michael kept a journal, which contained this entry: "The meaning of my life is to help others. I don't have a doubt in my mind that I was put here to help people some way or somehow." He lived by that, and Michael and his brother and sisters often took care of their special-needs brother who was born with spina bifida. Before Michael got his driver's license, he told his mom he was going to be an organ donor because he wanted to help other people. "Why shouldn't I? I won't need them," he told her.

Since his donation, Michael's family has met his heart recipient and as well as one of his kidney recipients. They now look forward to meeting the others whose lives have been saved by his gifts of life.

The family established the Michael Gilmore Memorial Scholarship in memory of their son, which will provide financial assistance to male students at Philips County Community College in order to help them achieve their educational goals.

Michael will be remembered by his kind spirit and generosity. His legacy will continue to live on through the donation of his vital organs, giving others another chance at life. He is dearly missed, but will never be forgotten.