U.S. Marine Cpl. Donavon Macura was remembered fondly at a celebration of life service Friday afternoon at Canvas Church in his hometown of Kalispell.

Macura died May 25 during a training run in Okinawa, Japan.

Friends, family and fellow Corps members attended the ceremony that ranged from emotional to humorous as several speakers recalled the 19-year-old, who died just six days before his 20th birthday.

The service concluded with a touching on-screen tribute that included photos of Macura, family and friends enjoying each other’s company.

The Rev. Kevin Geer opened the service, telling the congregation, “Your presence will bring a comfort to the family that words may not.”

Geer spoke of how Macura was already a hero to his father, Kevin, at his birth.

“Kevin told me how Donavon, in his birth, saved him from a previous life wrecked from drugs and alcohol,” Geer said. “He wanted to be there for his son, to walk him to the school bus, just to be there for him.

“Kevin told me Donavon is the kind of son you want your son to be,” Geer added.

Ross Dankers, Macura’s wrestling coach at Glacier High School, spoke with emotion in describing the man.

“When he announced he was going to be a Marine, I knew it was perfect for him. He embodied the values that Marines stand for,” Dankers said.

Dankers explained that Macura was a sophomore when he became the head wrestling coach.

“He never questioned the direction I thought the program should take. He just wanted to work hard, show discipline, courage and leadership. It’s what helped him go from a 10-win wrestler as a sophomore to a 30-win wrestler and one of the best in the state of Montana as a senior.

“I can’t tell you how many teachers that have told me how happy he always was. I will really miss Donavon,” Dankers said.

Tyler Eierdam, a fellow teammate and Marine, recalled how Macura motivated him to join the Corps.

“I wanted to be a Montana Highway Patrolman and he told me I should talk to the recruiters and look into it,” Eierdam said. “So I ended up signing my papers the week before he did. I told him it wasn’t supposed to be like that. He was supposed to go in before me.

“We had a lot of fun, going shooting with his dad, riding dirt bikes. I enjoyed every second I spent with that man.”

Jordan Gonzalez, a fellow Marine who roomed with Macura at Camp Pendleton and who shipped out to Japan with him, spoke to the family.

“He talked about you guys all the time. He talked about his brother wrestling, his sisters playing volleyball. He really loved you guys. I saw his wresting shoes the other day and I hope one day, his little brother will get to wear them.

“He’d be on the phone with his mom and he’d stop to eat, but mom was still on the phone, just because they wanted to share their presence with each other.”

Macura’s grandfather Jack Higle said his grandson touched a lot of lives in a very short time.

“He was probably the greatest young man I’ve met in my 72 years. We need to think of the lives of those that serve, that are sacrificed, so we can have the nation that we do,” Higle said. “I see Donavon standing at the stairway to Heaven waiting to greet all of us as we go forward.”

Geer then read a letter from Staff Sgt. Richard Stone, who said of Macura, “You had the ability to teach without instructing. Your legacy will go on even though you were called to a different mission.”

Geer then spoke to Ken and Marcie.

“Ken, cherish those deer and elk hunts you had together because on your next trip, he’ll be there with you.

“Marcie, no one could love a child more. He wouldn’t want you to grieve the way you are, but grief is the price of love and Donavon really loved.”

Geer closed by offering words of encouragement to those mourning the death of the young Marine.

“None of us had June 8 on our calendars for this, but in these moments, when we pause to recall, these are the times we have to find value,” Geer said. “Maybe this will help us live life a little better because of Donavon’s presence.

“We don’t have any control over when we die, but we do have control how we live and we need to make the most of it,” Geer said. “We must live our lives with no regrets, don’t be afraid to say ‘I love you’ or say your sorry and build those bridges with each other.”