Tristin Greer
On May 29, 2015 our sweet Tristin, at the age of 18, left this earth to join his Creator. The final days of his life were not filled with fear, sorrow, or bitterness. Instead, he left this earth full of the same joy and perseverance that defined his short eighteen years. For most people, a diagnosis of Stage IV cancer at age thirteen would be life shattering. However, for Tristin, it was as if he had been given a dare. A dare to fight. A dare to defy the odds. And a dare to courageously live with purpose. Our Tristin accepted the challenge and refused to let the ailments that burdened his body, burden his soul.
Despite setbacks, the last year of his life was the greatest. He recently finished his first year at UTC, where he was majoring in chemistry with plans to one day go to pharmacy school. First and foremost he loved his mom, dad, and two little brothers. He also loved making people laugh, the beach, his movie theater popcorn bucket, beautiful girls, and dancing. Tristin could be described as an entertainer, as he was always the life of the party. His happiness was effortless and his silly spirit could refresh even the most weary mind.
Tristin’s death is evidence of the evil that exists in the world. But it is also a reminder that because of Jesus, Tristin’s life is just beginning. His family and friends rally together and proclaim, “Oh, Death, where is your sting?” We also proudly stand together in the battle to cure all types of cancer, especially those that prey on children.
Tristin Greer will never be remembered for the way he died, but instead, for the way he lived. Thank you, Tristin, for showing us how to live.
Tristin is survived by his loving parents, Bronde and Jason Greer, his little brothers, Justin and Austin, his grandfather, Doug Greer, grandmothers, Janice Palmer and Ng, Oinung, and great-grandmothers, Helen Manke and Lorna Wakefield.
Tristin was preceded in death by his great-grandfathers, Silas Greer, Ng, Ting Cheung, and Howard Wakefield, and his great grandmother, Tsang, yiu Chun. Tristin has a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. We will always carry him with us.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in Tristin’s honor to Emily’s Power for a Cure or Lana’s Love Foundation, so that those organizations can continue to enrich the lives of so many. But most importantly, we ask that you take a moment to hug your child, grandchild, or parent because life is finite and fragile.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, at UTC’s Patten Chapel. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. on Monday, June 1, at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.