MICHAEL AND PAULA SOUKUP

Nathan Soukup saw the world through compassionate eyes. He saw people in need as an opportunity to help. He couldn’t pass the homeless without wanting to give them something – a dollar bill, a hamburger, a jacket. As he drove his truck through the Hill Country, he’d see a stranded motorist, stop and give them a lift, or even pull their vehicle out of a ditch.

When Nathan died unexpectedly shortly after his 18th birthday, his parents Michael and Paula wanted to keep his generous spirit alive. Even though the shock and grief were numbing, when a phone call came from the San Antonio Eye Bank asking about donation, Michael responded, “Nathan would help anyone in need. He always did when he was here and I do not imagine that he would stop now.”

His mother Paula remembered a conversation with her son that had taken place a couple of years previously. After driving pass the organ transplant hospital, Nathan had asked where they get all of the organs to transplant. “We talked about the gift of giving, spiritually and physically,” she said.

By consenting to the donation, Michael and Paula believe, “This was an opportunity to pay tribute to our son and demonstrate further the purest devotion of love we hold in our hearts for Nathan. We feel that our decision to donate was the one bright shining light in the engulfing darkness of death.”

Paula adds, “Nathan, my husband and I see donation as a great opportunity to help others and more completely bond the string of humanity together, giving others a better chance at life.”

Nathan’s compassionate gift will help someone see that better life.