MILL CREEK — Codey Porter, 10, was fatally injured while pretending to be a superhero.
People who knew him say he was the real thing.
On Saturday, more than 150 of Codey’s family members, friends and classmates honored him at a memorial service at Gold Creek Community Church in Mill Creek.
Codey, a fifth-grader, stopped breathing March 8 after being buried headfirst in a backyard sandbox while trying to mimic a cartoon superhero trick. He died two days later at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle.
His organs were donated, helping five families during the past week, his father, Rick Porter, said during the service.
“Codey always wanted to be a superhero,” Porter said, choking back tears. “In my book, he’s one right now.” Many people in the audience at Saturday’s memorial wore red, a tribute to Codey’s nickname, “Code Red.” People who knew him took turns sharing memories of his life, describing him as a sweet, outgoing boy who loved his family, church, sports and video games.
Toward the back of the church, four young girls stood up and danced when the church’s youth band played one of Codey’s favorite songs, a fast-paced rock tune called “One Way Jesus.” Minutes later, the girls comforted each other as church Pastor Dan Kellogg encouraged the audience to imagine Codey in heaven next to God.
“He’s at peace, at home, with God, playing the biggest video game he’s ever seen — the universe,” Kellogg said.
Rick Porter walked up on stage clutching a small, child-sized shirt. Earlier this week, he brought the shirt to the hospital for Codey to change into.
Now, the father uses the shirt to wipe away his tears.
“He was a great little guy,” Porter said. “He had more energy than a nuclear reactor.”
Codey’s mother, Amy Walker, said her son was her “positive ray of light.” The mother and son would sing to each other when they talked on the phone — sometimes making up the lyrics as they went — and they used their similarly long eyelashes to exchange butterfly kisses.
At times, Walker said, she was annoyed with Codey’s passion for video games. However, she was always impressed by his dedication and knowledge of his hobby.
“He was a special boy,” Walker said. “He would make you believe he was your one and only at the time.”
Stephanie Porter, Codey’s sister, said the only video game she could beat her brother at was “Dance Dance Revolution.”
Even when they argued, Codey always let Stephanie know how much he loved her, she said.
“He taught me to live and care for another person, and that if you do that, they will like you back,” Stephanie said.
Codey had a beautiful, imaginative soul, said his youth pastor, Trevor Lee.
He did not die in vain, Lee said.
“Codey’s life helped save and improve other people’s lives,” Lee said. “In his loss to us, he became a superhero to others.”
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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