Jennifer Blair, Brendon's Aunt, and Lori McLarty, Brendon's Mom
REMEMBERING BRENDON McLARTY
Brendon was a 16-year-old boy who had a passion for sports. He was selfless and appreciated the small things in life. When he died in 2012, his parents honored his decision and saved other’s lives through organ donation.
After his death, Lori McLarty, Brendon’s mom and Jennifer Blair, Brendon’s aunt, bonded together to embrace Brendon’s legacy. Together they have walked the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in his honor and started a foundation to support asthma education, while sharing Brendon’s lifesaving story.
After his death, Lori McLarty, Brendon’s mom and Jennifer Blair, Brendon’s aunt, bonded together to embrace Brendon’s legacy. Together they have walked the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in his honor and started a foundation to support asthma education, while sharing Brendon’s lifesaving story.
FAMILY, FRIENDS WALK OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON TO HONOR TEEN WHO DONATED HIS ORGANS TO LOCAL MAN

Two families bonded together by the heart of a teenage baseball player carry on Brendon McLarty’s legacy by embracing what he cared about.
Friends and family of the teen will walk in the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon this year, not only remembering the lives lost in the 1995 bombing, but also to celebrate the life of a young organ donor who passed away in 2012. The recipient of his heart will cheer them on from afar.
Brendon McLarty was an all-American 16 year old boy who had a passion for sports. He was a Perry Maroon through and through, and enjoyed playing football and baseball for Perry High School. He played sports with determination, passion and focus – and inspired his fellow teammates to play the best they could.
“He was very selfless in a way that’s hard to articulate,” said Jennifer Blair, Brendon’s aunt. “He appreciated the small things in life. He lived life and touched so many people’s lives in 16 years, and was able to do that again when he died.”
Brendon died in 2012 after a fatal asthma attack. When he got his driver’s license, he had signed up to be an organ donor.
“From the moment Jon (Brendon’s dad) and I knew our son was not going to make it, we decided to honor his wishes to be an organ donor. We wanted something good to come of our son’s death, and helping to save other’s lives was just that,” said Brendon’s mom, Lori McLarty.
Oklahoma is a first person authorization state, which is an individual’s legally binding decision to become an organ and tissue donor after his or her death. The decision to become an organ donor by an adult cannot be overridden; however, families of minors must make this decision for their children. Brendon was a registered organ donor on his driver’s license, and his parents honored his wishes.
Two days after Brendon died Kerry Creach received Brendon’s heart. He had been told just hours earlier that he wouldn’t make it through the night.
“We are so very appreciative that his heart went to such an amazing man, and so happy to have had the opportunity to meet Kerry and hear Brendon’s heart beat again,” Lori said.
Friends and family of the teen will walk in the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon this year, not only remembering the lives lost in the 1995 bombing, but also to celebrate the life of a young organ donor who passed away in 2012. The recipient of his heart will cheer them on from afar.
Brendon McLarty was an all-American 16 year old boy who had a passion for sports. He was a Perry Maroon through and through, and enjoyed playing football and baseball for Perry High School. He played sports with determination, passion and focus – and inspired his fellow teammates to play the best they could.
“He was very selfless in a way that’s hard to articulate,” said Jennifer Blair, Brendon’s aunt. “He appreciated the small things in life. He lived life and touched so many people’s lives in 16 years, and was able to do that again when he died.”
Brendon died in 2012 after a fatal asthma attack. When he got his driver’s license, he had signed up to be an organ donor.
“From the moment Jon (Brendon’s dad) and I knew our son was not going to make it, we decided to honor his wishes to be an organ donor. We wanted something good to come of our son’s death, and helping to save other’s lives was just that,” said Brendon’s mom, Lori McLarty.
Oklahoma is a first person authorization state, which is an individual’s legally binding decision to become an organ and tissue donor after his or her death. The decision to become an organ donor by an adult cannot be overridden; however, families of minors must make this decision for their children. Brendon was a registered organ donor on his driver’s license, and his parents honored his wishes.
Two days after Brendon died Kerry Creach received Brendon’s heart. He had been told just hours earlier that he wouldn’t make it through the night.
“We are so very appreciative that his heart went to such an amazing man, and so happy to have had the opportunity to meet Kerry and hear Brendon’s heart beat again,” Lori said.

The Creach and McLarty families have been in touch for the past few years, and Creach walked in the Memorial Marathon’s 5K with Brendon’s family in 2014.
“Every year we run in the Memorial Marathon to remember Brendon. It gives me a chance to tell Brendon’s story through our annual
t-shirt, and benefit a scholarship fund in his name,” Lori said. This year, Creach can’t be part of the event, but will support them from afar.
The Memorial Marathon coincides with National Donate Life Month, and LifeShare is celebrating the selfless gifts of life given by people around the state of Oklahoma.
LifeShare is the federally designated organ procurement organization in the state of Oklahoma and is responsible for organ and tissue donation statewide.
The families celebrate Brendon in many other ways as well.
The Brendon McLarty Scholarship at Perry High School was established to honor and remember Brendon’s life. The scholarship is given each year to a Perry graduate that exemplifies the qualities and standards by which Brendon lived.
This year, Brendon will be memorialized on April 23, when the Perry “BMAC” Baseball Complex is celebrating its grand opening. BMAC is a nickname Brendon often went by. Kerry Creach will throw the first pitch and it will be caught by Brendon’s 7 year-old cousin.
“Baseball was Brendon’s passion, and the field was where his heart was. Now, his heart will literally be at the field helping Kerry throw the first pitch,” Lori said.
The McLarty family takes every opportunity to encourage the community to be organ donors. Inspired by Brendon’s life and selfless act, many people have registered to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.
“Brendon McLarty saved many lives and left an unforgettable legacy for many to follow,” said Jeff Orlowski, president and CEO of LifeShare. “The actions of his family following through with Brendon’s wishes, speaks volumes to their care and compassion for others.”
Across the United States, more than 121,000 individuals wait for an organ transplant to save their life, 700 of these are Oklahomans. Thousands more are in need of tissue and corneal transplants to restore mobility and sight. Without the generous gift of more than 24,000 donors in the United States per year, many would still be waiting for a lifesaving gift.
“LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor and to share your decision with your family,” Orlowski added.
You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at www.LifeShareRegistry.org.
“Every year we run in the Memorial Marathon to remember Brendon. It gives me a chance to tell Brendon’s story through our annual
t-shirt, and benefit a scholarship fund in his name,” Lori said. This year, Creach can’t be part of the event, but will support them from afar.
The Memorial Marathon coincides with National Donate Life Month, and LifeShare is celebrating the selfless gifts of life given by people around the state of Oklahoma.
LifeShare is the federally designated organ procurement organization in the state of Oklahoma and is responsible for organ and tissue donation statewide.
The families celebrate Brendon in many other ways as well.
The Brendon McLarty Scholarship at Perry High School was established to honor and remember Brendon’s life. The scholarship is given each year to a Perry graduate that exemplifies the qualities and standards by which Brendon lived.
This year, Brendon will be memorialized on April 23, when the Perry “BMAC” Baseball Complex is celebrating its grand opening. BMAC is a nickname Brendon often went by. Kerry Creach will throw the first pitch and it will be caught by Brendon’s 7 year-old cousin.
“Baseball was Brendon’s passion, and the field was where his heart was. Now, his heart will literally be at the field helping Kerry throw the first pitch,” Lori said.
The McLarty family takes every opportunity to encourage the community to be organ donors. Inspired by Brendon’s life and selfless act, many people have registered to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.
“Brendon McLarty saved many lives and left an unforgettable legacy for many to follow,” said Jeff Orlowski, president and CEO of LifeShare. “The actions of his family following through with Brendon’s wishes, speaks volumes to their care and compassion for others.”
Across the United States, more than 121,000 individuals wait for an organ transplant to save their life, 700 of these are Oklahomans. Thousands more are in need of tissue and corneal transplants to restore mobility and sight. Without the generous gift of more than 24,000 donors in the United States per year, many would still be waiting for a lifesaving gift.
“LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor and to share your decision with your family,” Orlowski added.
You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at www.LifeShareRegistry.org.