Tyler Plummer embodied the "never give up" spirit. He loved to work on his 40-acre ranch caring for his 700 trees and horses. When he was 19, Tyler had breathed in an airborne virus that settled in his heart lining and led to cardiomyopathy. He lived with and fought hard against his heart condition for 14 years, but he lost his battle in 2012 at age 33. Tyler had seen a banner in the Ronald McDonald House in Denver that read: "Don't take your organs to heaven – heaven knows we need them here." His wife Annika affirmed that "Tyler truly believed this and would be very happy that his corneas are helping someone receive the gift of sight."

Tyler's Story

Tyler Plummer grew up in eastern Montana, where he was a successful four-sport athlete – wrestling, golf, football and baseball – and embodied the "never give up" spirit. He was quiet, kind to everyone, and had a gentle strength. Everyone who knew Tyler said that he was the definition of a true friend. Tyler was also a great storyteller, and one of his claims to fame was his role as a stunt double in the movie "Wooly Boys." Tyler loved to work on his 40-acre ranch and cared for his 700 trees. His passions included his horses and his friends, but most of all, his family. He was very close to his father, and they would talk about wrestling or plan improvements for hours. Tyler was extremely proud to be an uncle to his sister and her husband's three kids. Tyler married Annika in August 2009, and together they shared many wonderful memories working side by side. When he was 19, Tyler had breathed in an airborne virus that settled in the lining of his heart, resulting in an enlarged heart and myocarditis, and ultimately to cardiomyopathy. He lived with and fought hard against his heart condition for 14 years. Tyler never let his condition limit him, but he lost his battle on Jan. 25, 2012, at age 33. When his condition was first discovered, Tyler saw a banner in the hallway of the Ronald McDonald House in Denver that read: "Don't take your organs to heaven – heaven knows we need them here." "Tyler truly believed this and would be very happy that the donation of his corneas is helping someone receive the gift of sight," said Annika. "It is an honor for our family to share this part of Tyler and to bless another family in this way."