Kirk and Lisa are both in their 28th year as educators in Missouri. Their 15-year-old son, Dalton, died by suicide on May 14, 2020, without any warning. Dalton loved playing sports, video games, eating at any time of the day, and his older sister, Carly.  He set goals for himself and worked hard to achieve each one.  Dalton’s infectious smile and bright blue eyes lit up the room everywhere he went. His quick wit and never-ending humor are missed deeply every single day.

Lisa serves as a reading specialist to help young students learn essential literacy skills. Kirk teaches middle and high school social studies and coaches football and track.  God  has blessed them with several opportunities to present about suicide awarness and prevention at a few local schools.  Using Dalton’s story and their own experience has given them purpose and meaning in helping other families avoid the tragic road they are walking.  In their free time, they enjoy traveling and following Carly’s track career at a nearby college. As the author of the blog, Surviving My Past Because of My Future, Lisa uses her story of grief and trauma to show others how God loves, comforts, and heals us in our darkest places.

OHAH Facilitator - Support Group, Online Conferences, GriefShare; Online book study of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy; Contributing Author, Held Through the Storm: Stories of Suicide Loss and Hope in Christ (2024), Conference Speaker, Blog Contributor