When Ross Booker was 10 years old he went with his mother, Marita, to volunteer with their church group at Empty Tomb, a Christian service organization.
“At first he complained and asked why,” Marita said.
But then Ross, who Marita described as a softy at heart, dived in and helped.
“He saw our neighbor come in with something to donate and he volunteered to help him bring the stuff in,” Marita said.
Marita said being raised in church, being active in 4-H and the FFA helped shape Ross’ belief that those who can help should help.
“He and his brother grew up watching Dave and me volunteer at church, Scouts, 4-H,” Marita said. “It’s our job as parents to lead by example.”
Marita said her son, whose favorite person was his brother Anthony, truly cared about his friends and family.
That caring also extended to the community in general.
Ross’ desire to help people led him to the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District where he volunteered as a firefighter.
“Dave and I were both surprised when he wanted to join the fire department,” Marita said. “However, he loved chaos, a bit of drama, and learning more about the fire department.”
Ross was also a tow truck operator, helping those who had been in accidents.
That’s what he was doing when he lost his life on March 6, 2022 when he was struck by a car while responding to the scene of an accident in Champaign.
Tonight at 5:30 p.m. he will be honored for his final act of giving by a Gift of Hope flag being raised in his honor at the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District.
The Bookers decided to donate Ross’ organs after he died. They thought it was what he would have wanted.
“He would want to help if he could,” Marita said.
Marita said it also helped her and Dave as well.
“In my mind, it kept Ross ‘with’ us,” she said. “I think that hoping we will get to hear his heart beat again in his recipient gives us a bit of peace.”
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