Daylon Harrington 1983 - 2009

On May 22, at 11pm PST, a small aircraft piloted by Scott Resnick of Beaverton, Oregon, and Daylon Harrington, originally of Southern Oregon, lost radar contact with Scottsdale’s control tower and crashed in Northern Arizona.  Both men passed away, and are (thankfully) today with Christ.

I met Daylon Harrington while playing beer-pong at Brooke’s brother’s 21st birthday party – and it’s been a great ride ever since.  We’ve done countless dinners, road trips, concerts, game nights, volleyball, and movies - always teaming up against Brooke to veto chick-flicks.  The only illegal thing I’ve done (hopping a fence to trespass on a closed state park) I did at Daylon’s urging.  And I will never be able to listen to Brad Paisley’s Ticks again without thinking of him.

The first thing anyone noticed about Daylon was his infectious smile and eyes that always seemed to sparkle.  And as I got to know him, I realized just how much that smile defined him.  Day had a way of lighting up any room, any situation.  If you met him, you probably count his as a friend.  If you spent any time with him, you count him as a close friend.  Daylon had an uncanny ability for making sure every person he was with know how much he loved them and loved being with them.  Everyone just knew they were part of his inner circle of friends – counted even as family.  His unconscious, genuine talent for inclusion was a rare gift that truly showed the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Fluency in Spanish, a love of flying, and a sense of constant adventure fueled his passion for South American missions – a field he hoped to make a career in as a bush pilot.  I can only imagine the impact he would have had on that part of the world, and it is poorer for not knowing him.  The guy packed more life into 25 years than most people do in a hundred.  And it makes me wonder what it is I’m living for – what and who is my passion?  Because I know what his was, and it’s both inspiring and incredibly humbling.

The weekend has been horrific, and neither I, nor anyone else, can seem to simply stop crying.  He was such a staple in my life that I cannot imagine life without him.  I can’t wait to see him again soon.

I’ve never met Scott, but from what I know of him he was just like Daylon – a million friends, an easy smile, a loving family, and a love of life.  Please pray for his wife, children, parents, and other family and friends who are no doubt completely devastated.

Daylon’s memorial service will be at 4pm on Saturday, May 30, at Trail Christian Fellowship in Eagle Point, Oregon.  Prayers for his family would be much appreciated.