By COSHANDRA DILLARD

Staff Writer

WHITEHOUSE -- Oct. 26 will forever be etched in the minds of Merri Walsh and her ex-husband Tom O'Leary. It was the day they lost their 20-year-old son, Chris, after he succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

But as they struggle with the loss, there is some joy in the fact that Chris' death brought life to others. Four people are now alive after the family gave the OK to donate Chris' organs.

ABOUT CHRIS

Chris O'Leary is described as gifted, observant, laid back, meticulous, a prankster and a great artist. The oldest of three children, his parents say he was principled and "almost perfect."

He was a Whitehouse High School graduate, attending Texas A&M University at College Station and majoring in mechanical engineering. His parents said he made a great impact on others, young and old. His favorite outfit was jeans, a white T-shirt and boots. His love from classmates was evident as seen by the sea of white T-shirts at his funeral service.

And then there were motorcycles. Walsh said he loved anything that moved and the thought of him purchasing a motorcycle frightened her. That is why she bought motorcycle safety lessons for Chris on his birthday. He and his father, who was traveling in front of him, were on their way to the second session of the safety course when the fatal accident occurred.

HE LIVES ON

When Chris was taken off life support, the family approved the donation of his organs. "That's what he would have wanted," O'Leary said. "We had those discussions before."

A 4-year-old boy received his right kidney, a 16-year-old boy has his left kidney, a 31-year-old man received his heart, a 54-year-old woman has Chris' liver. The young man with the left kidney, still recovering in his Balch Springs home after receiving the transplant at Children's Medical Center in Dallas, has not yet spoken to or met Chris's family.

"We are very grateful and happy," said Angelica Rico, the sister of the kidney recipient. "It was a sad situation, the way that it happened, but we are very grateful that someone was able to do that for us."

Ms. Rico said, in time, the family would like to speak with Chris' family.

While O'Leary had no doubt that donating the organs was the right thing to do, he has mixed feelings about meeting the recipients of Chris' organs.

"I'm proud that they got the organs but I don't want to get too close to them and then be scared that I'll be disappointed in the way they may live their life," he said.

Walsh, on the other hand, is eager to meet the families, particularly the person who has Chris' heart.

LIFE TAKEN AWAY

Not only were Walsh and O'Leary crushed over the loss of their son, but they felt angered that Chris' life was taken because of a woman who was allegedly intoxicated.

According to an arrest affidavit, Angela K. Daniels, 38, of Tyler was driving with a revoked license and had alcohol, methadone and amphetamines in her system when she ran a red light and struck Chris at an intersection.

Daniels was treated at a local hospital for her injuries then later arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Walsh and O'Leary both say they can forgive Daniels, but hope she, also a mother, knows how she has impacted their family.

"I thought I'd have more anger, but I'm doing okay," O'Leary said.

They say Chris did not drink, but was not judgmental of those who did. O'Leary said the death of his son serves as a reminder about drinking and driving.

"This is a perfect example: Here was a tremendous young man, full of life and it was taken because of 'Yeah, beers!', as he would say."

Walsh said she wants people to be more responsible when drinking and would like to see more taxi companies or services for bar patrons in the area.

"It just seems senseless," she said. "We were cheated because a woman was on every drug possible."

But they are careful not to be bitter and believe Chris' life served a purpose.

"We may not understand why it happens," O'Leary said. "All you can do is pray to God and hope he gives you guidance and hope it all makes sense one day. He died to humble us all. Life is very fragile and we need to help each other because in the end, all there is is love."

JUST THAT SIMPLE

While many Texans have had a donor sticker on their driver's license in the past, until recently, there has not been a registry of potential donors. Texas created the donor registry in 2005 to have on record those who have officially indicated their wish to donate organs, tissues or eyes upon their death. Pam Silvestri, public affairs director of the Southwest Transplant Alliance, said signing up on the registry is easy and relieves family members from wondering what your wishes are at the time or your death -- and it cannot be overruled.

"It's a hard thing for families to consider at a time like that," Silvestri said. "That's why we encourage people to register. People don't think their family will agree with their choice. They don't have to have that concern anymore if you just sign up."

Silvestri said some people may be reluctant to become a donor because they worry doctors will not try to save them, although, it is only considered after all efforts failed, she said.

In addition, there has to be oxygen supply to the organs up until the time of death, so a person must have been on a ventilator when they died.

Working with families in a difficult time, Silvestri said she is humbled by the hard decision they must make.

"At a time when they are in the middle of the worst crisis for a family to think about people they may never know is what I think humanity is all about," Silvestri said. "What this family did is one family helping another. I can admire people that can step out of pain they are feeling to help someone else."

Silvestri said the number of organ donors have increased across the country since the 1990s, going from 5,000 to more than 8,000 by 2006.

However, the waiting list for organ transplants is growing too. Within 12 years, the number of people on waiting lists jumped from 30,000 to 100,000, Silvestri said.

For more information about organ donation or to register as a donor, visit www.donatelifetexas.org.

IN MEMORY OF CHRIS

Shortly after Chris' death, there was a scholarship fund established in his memory. The funds will go to Whitehouse High School students but eligibility requirements have not been established yet. To make a donation to the fund, you may go to any Southside Bank branch, care of the Chris O'Leary Memorial Scholarship Fund. If successful, it could become an annual scholarship, the family said.