IRON MOUNTAIN - Although Bryan W. Mort's life was celebrated on Sunday, friends and family members are still coping with the loss.
Bryan Wayne Mort was killed by a gunman at the East Kingsford train bridge on July 31, 2008. Family and friends gathered at his grave site at Iron Mountain Cemetery Park on Sunday - the day he would have turned 20 years of age.
Sarah McDarment, sister of Bryan's, said the family is having trouble coping.
She said her 17-year-old brother has moved to California to be with their other brother. Her children and her parents are also trying to cope with the loss of an uncle and son. And Bryan's fiance, Jen Varnadore, has moved in with her to help with the children.
"I wish he would have had a chance to be a dad," McDarment said. "It's hard to explain to a three-, seven- and two-year-old. My three-year-old doesn't understand, and my seven year-old is going through counseling."
McDarment added her three-year-old keeps asking for her Uncle Bryan, so they visit his grave site often. McDarment and her children went to the East Kingsford train bridge on Sunday morning.
"It's really, really hard. I miss him and love him," she said of her brother, Bryan.
Bryan's father, David Mort, said he doesn't ever want his son forgotten.
"The short time he was here, he made an impression," Mort said. "I will never forget him."
David Mort said what happened to his son and the other two teens - Tiffany Pohlson, 17, of Norway, Anthony Spigarelli, 18, of Iron Mountain - who lost their lives was a total tragedy.
"The Bible says an 'eye for an eye' ... it's not fair," he said.
Trever Rogers of Iron Mountain, a good friend of Bryan's, said he really misses him and the old times - playing video games or shooting basketball.
"I hope he has a great birthday," Rogers said.
Josh Wells of Iron Mountain, another good friend, said he and his wife continue to think about their friend. Bryan and Wells had planned to breed pit-bulls. The first litter of pups was not bred. Wells now has a litter of nine pups.
"There's not a day that goes by we find ourselves saying 'if Bryan was here,' especially now when we look at those pups. Nothing is ever the same," Wells said.
Bryan's brothers could not be at the celebration because they live in California, but they called a family member's cell phone and wished him a happy birthday.
About 50 friends and family members gathered at Bryan's grave site. An opening prayer was given, Chris Ashburn and friends played acoustics and those who wished to spoke about Bryan.
Three days after Bryan's funeral, Chris Ashburn said he wrote the song, "He Found God" and dedicated it to Bryan. The song was played at Bryan's birthday celebration.
Those who spoke at the gathering said they enjoyed
Bryan's sense of humor.
"You will always be in my heart. You didn't deserve it. With all my soul. There will be a payback. I love you," David Mort said to his son.
Convicted killer Scott J. Johnson, 38, of Breitung Township, will be sentenced at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Marinette County Courthouse.
He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon for the killings. He is also charged with six counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon and one count of second degree sexual assault.
He is expected to be sentenced to a maximum of 400 years in prison.
"I feel he deserves the death penalty. He took my son's life and two others. The judge should consider the same," David Mort said.
David Mort is continuing to push for Johnson to be arrested and charged by the federal government.
He said his son was the only one killed on federal railroad property in Michigan. The 'petite waiver' is currently at the White House for the president to sign the order, David Mort said.
David Mort thanked everyone for attending the gathering.
"God bless you all," he said.
Lisa M. Hoffmann's e-mail address is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com.
