Wyatt Layne McNamee was a young man whose presence impacted everyone with whom he knew. He was prodigious in any endeavor he sought. In fact, seeking endeavors came as second nature to him. From academics to piano to baseball to being such a bright light in his family’s presence, he impacted so many in such a profound way. Egregious, hilarious, intelligent, loving – all were dutiful representations of Wyatt’s personality. What most did not know, however, was that Wyatt also suffered from a life-long bout with asthma. Because of this condition, it is easy to characterize him as resilient. 

Resilience and confident humility is a combination of traits that is quite rare, and it is even more remarkable and unique to find in such a young man that had the world at his fingertips – literally and figuratively. Serenading his loving family and all whom would listen with his remarkable piano talent was ultimately what he loved. From composing his own music to remarkably playing that of his favorite composer, Wyatt could command any audience he had. He was almost complete with his rendition of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata when his life-long condition finally took a fatal turn. 

Wyatt cared deeply for those he loved, and it showed to those with even a passing perspective. He lived for those who were less fortunate. He lived for those who struggled. He lived for those who remarkable humans live for. He gave so much of himself to so many. To his family, friends, teachers, coaches, and anyone who knew Wyatt, his legacy will live on in ways that are unimaginable. 

Wyatt suffered a medical emergency at the place he loved just as much as home, Ross Elementary, in League City, on March 3, 2021. Despite heroic efforts on the part of his own mother, fellow employees, and first responders, he ultimately succumbed to his final battle with the condition that he was so resolved to overcome. Heroism by those involved allowed him 11 more days with his family, however. He fought valiantly in the ICU at a local hospital, then at home on hospice care, until the most difficult moment of his family’s lives came when he passed away on March 14, 2021. 

The outpouring of support from the community, family, friends, and countless others was, to put it succinctly, awe-inspiring. Bereavement services provided by so many remarkable individuals – loved ones and strangers alike – was the glue that held his family together during such a tragic time. Tragically, there are families out there in our own communities who need bereavement services of all kinds. 

That is precisely why Wyatt’s Why Foundation was established. His mother, father, brother, sister, grandparents, family, and friends now possess a huge hole that will never be filled. To be able to provide such a necessary service to those whom we can help is a blessing and our calling, and if we can have even a fraction of the impact on suffering families that we experienced, we will have succeeded. We thank you dearly for taking your time to learn more about the young man we love and miss so dearly.