No matter the situation, Tim Fristoe had a way of bringing on smiles.

Fristoe, who spurred on an outpouring of community support 12 years ago when he received a heart transplant, died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on Saturday. He was 32.

"He cared about people and knew how to make them laugh," his wife, Heather, said. "He was forever grateful to get a second chance. For years, he didn't know if he deserved it, but when he got married and had a girl, he realized it was in God's plan for all that to happen."

Fristoe was a tissue and eye donor himself.

"It's the only way he wanted it," Heather said.

Heather said the family recently returned from a vacation and Tim wasn't feeling well. He was admitted to Sacred Heart with a blood infection and seemed to be recovering when he unexpectedly died.

"We don't understand what happened," Heather said. "He was active up until the day he went to the hospital."

Fristoe worked at Silverwood Theme Park for 16 years, working his way up to be an operations assistant manager overseeing the RV park. He earned a reputation as a hard worker with a tender touch. He graduated from Coeur d'Alene High in 1998 and has lived in Post Falls in recent years.

"Tim Fristoe was an extraordinary man with the most wonderful outlook on life," said Shaena Dunn, a friend of Tim's.

Fristoe participated in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene bowling leagues and in tournaments throughout the region. He rolled a 300 game about four years ago and also served as a youth coach at the Sunset Bowling Center in Coeur d'Alene. Tim and Heather ran a DJ company on the side for private parties and charity events.

"He lived every moment and he made our family so happy," said Tina Brewster, Tim's cousin. "He was my best friend, but he was also 300 other people's best friend because he was that kind of person. He had a nickname for everyone."

In an interview with The Press two years ago on the 10th anniversary of his heart transplant, Tim said he was headed down a rough path before the transplant gave him a new outlook on life.

"I don't take anything for granted anymore," he said.

Now friends and relatives are rallying to support Tim and Heather's 1-year-old daughter Chloe and Heather with multiple fundraisers.

Tim's job was the family's main source of income, the family has a lot of medical bills and its home is going through foreclosure.

One of the fundraisers is a dart tournament at Big Al's at Stateline on Sunday at 1 p.m. Updates and other events will be posted on a Facebook page called "Remembering Tim Fristoe." A savings account under Chloe's name has also been set up at Spokane Teachers Credit Union to assist the two.

"She's a little firecracker just like Tim," Heather said of Chloe. "Tim and her had a special relationship. I've never seen anyone love somebody so much as he did her."

Tim's brother Patrick said Tim was a "city boy who loved camping."

"He hated getting dirty, but loved going camping," Patrick said. "Anyone who met him instantly fell in love with the guy."

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Candlelight Christian Fellowship, with burial at 3 p.m. in Riverview Cemetery. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at Yates Funeral Home.

Remembering Tim

• A Facebook page called "Remembering Tim Fristoe" has been created to post comments and receive updates on fundraisers to support his wife Heather and daughter Chloe.