Trey Brandon Patrick peacefully passed away on Wednesday, March 2, at Primary Children’s Hospital, surrounded by his immediate family and maternal grandparents. He was 6 years old.

See 12 photos

Trey came into this world with everything going against him. He was born on July 7, 2015, almost two months early, with a rare genetic disorder called TARP Syndrome. This caused severe limitations in his physical and mental development. Trey underwent six different surgical procedures during his first three years and spent most of this time living in and out of hospitals. His heart stopped beating for the first time prior to his rapid delivery by way of an emergency C-section. Trey continued to overcome many life-threatening moments, defying the expectations of medical experts.

Trey began to thrive around the age of three. He developed both intellectually and physically. He completed over 400 hours of physical therapy at “Now I Can” and attended Kauri Sue Hamilton School for two years. Trey never learned to walk but did discover how to army crawl and even learned how to sit up. He understood more than most people realized.

His eyesight was limited, so he used his tongue to sense things and communicate. He gave the best wet, slobbery kisses in the world. Anyone that experienced those felt truly loved. He had the most loving and happy demeanor. His laugh was contagious. It would instantly make anyone smile and laugh with him.

His favorite things in the world, besides his family, were books and baths, or as he affectionately called them “ga-gook” and “ba-baa”. These were the only two words he said and the only two words he needed because they got him what he wanted most of the time.

Trey was blessed with a family that loved him dearly; his father and mother, Brandon and Becky Patrick, his brother Corbin and his sister Claire. He was surrounded with love and affection. He was kissed, cuddled, held, read to, sung to, and played with every day. In addition to his immediate family, Trey is mourned by an extended family of cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. The family is grateful for the countless hours given by medical professionals, therapists, educators, and other professional workers as they have loved and supported Trey.

Trey was pure and innocent, one of God’s choice spirits sent here to teach valuable lessons in life. He taught the importance of making time for loved ones, to slow down and enjoy the sweet and simple things in life, what it means to love, to serve, and to have charity or the pure love of Christ. Trey’s six years here on earth were considered a gift by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12th, at the Bluffdale Stake Center located at 2742 West 14400 South, Bluffdale, Utah 84065. A viewing will take place the evening prior from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11th and also from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral services held on Saturday also at the Stake Center. Interment to follow services at Riverton City Cemetery, 1540 West 13200 South, Riverton. To virtually attend services please visit www.larkincares.com

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be directed to the Now I Can Foundation (this is the group who handled Trey’s physical therapy) at www.nowican.org or through Venmo @nowican.