Eric Driskell

Organ, tissue and cornea donor

Age 43 – Stillwell, KS

Donated on 02/15/17

at Research Medical Center

Honored by Midwest Transplant Network

Eric Driskell is described as a man of faith, compassion, love, and courage. When he suddenly passed away in February 2017 from a ruptured brain aneurysm, his family was not surprised to learn that he had made the decision to give to others as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. He was the head football coach at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, KS, where he also played. He was a great husband and a father, married for 15 years and blessed with two daughters. “Eric was a shining example of good in the world,” said his wife Kari. In addition to donation, as a head high school football coach and teacher, his impact continues to be felt by many. More than 3,000 people gathered to celebrate and honor his life at his memorial service.

Eric’s Story

Eric Driskell is described as a man of faith, compassion, love, and courage. When he suddenly passed away in February 2017 from a ruptured brain aneurysm, his family was not surprised to learn that he had made the decision to give to others as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. “Eric was a shining example of good in the world,” said his wife Kari. In addition to donation, as a head high school football coach and teacher, his impact continues to be felt by many. More than 3,000 people gathered to celebrate and honor his life at his memorial service.

Eric was the head football coach at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, KS, where he also played. His team won two state championships and played in three other title games. He also played on a Tigers state title team. His motto on the field—and every day—was, “live like a champion.”

Beyond the football field, Eric’s legacy as a father and husband is one that will not be forgotten. The Driskells were married for nearly 15 years and blessed with two daughters, Rachel and Laurel. “The fact that I can tell my girls that their daddy was a hero to somebody else, because they didn’t have to lose a grandpa or an uncle or a brother or a father in an untimely way like we lost Eric, that is comforting,” Kari said.

His daughters and wife continue to share his story and act as strong advocates for donation in the community.