Coeur d'Alene Press - The Daily Bee Coeur d'Alene, Idaho <> Eric Dan Wylie, 24 With the comfort of family and friends, we faced the hardest challenge of our lives in saying goodbye to our loving, free-spirited Eric. He died July 20, 2004, in Seattle, as a result of a car accident. Eric's gentle spirit will be sorely missed for the rest of our lives. The world was a better place with his presence, just as it will be a far different place without him. Eric Dan was born Jan. 1, 1980, in Spokane. He lived most of his life in Montana, moving from the far northern part of the state (Shelby) to the eastern-most part of the state (Baker), to the plains of Great Falls, and finally, west to the mountains, rivers and creeks of Lolo and Missoula. Perhaps the adaptability in making all those moves during his childhood enabled Eric to become the kind soul that he was, accepting and making friends wherever he went and with whomever he met. He could meet and greet anyone, carry on conversation, and the next day, he would have said he had met a new friend. Eric stood up for what he thought was right. He began his elementary education in Great Falls and continued through Lolo elementary and middle schools. He attended high schools in Missoula, then graduated in 1999 from Project CDA in Coeur d'Alene. From his experiences at Project, Eric had expressed his desire to help other kids. He enrolled at North Idaho College in 2001, but there were just too many fish to be caught, and the time was not right to settle down to studies. Eric then enrolled and completed the courses at Clearfield Job Corps Center in Utah. He completed his certification as a transmission specialist. He truly enjoyed being able to help his friends and family work on their cars. Eric loved to play baseball. He began in the minor league for Lolo Mini Storage and then on to the Two Bears team. He moved up to majors with Guys Lolo Creek Steakhouse, with which he had an undefeated season, coached by his dad. He then moved up to senior ball with the Cenex team. He wrestled for a season in Little Guy Wrestling and played a season in Little Grizzly Football. Besides playing ball, Eric loved to fish and loved spending time with family at "the property" at Lake Pend Oreille. He loved to ski, which was quickly replaced by snowboarding. Put him behind the handlebars of a snowmobile and watch out! Eric was not a quitter and gave everything he had. And if he failed, he would pick himself up again and try things differently. Eric is survived by his brother, Jordan Wylie, and girlfriend Britany Sorenson of Spokane; half-brother Calvin and wife Amanda Wylie, Post Falls; half-sister Jennifer and husband Billy Albin, Arlington, Wash.; mother Nicky Wylie and fiance Fritz Hastings, Seaside, Ore.; father Cal and stepmother Denise Wylie, Sandpoint; grandparents Sam and Vera Wylie, Sprit Lake; aunt Rhonda and uncle Warren Kays; aunt Janet Wylie and partner Pat Carberry; aunt Sandy Wylie and partner Herb Weaver; aunt Danette and uncle Ted Grund; uncle Jim Steber; five nieces and a nephew; great aunts; and many loving cousins; many beloved friends, including Jewel Taylor and Trevor Erickson, who were right at Eric's side. Eric was preceded in death by his grandparents T-Bone and Izzie Jones; cousins Christy Kays and Cory Gronvold; uncle Danny Jones; and recently, auntie Paulie Steber; and childhood pets Maggie ("Magger") and Lacey. Memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. Aug. 7 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 34th and Schilling streets, Missoula, with the Rev. James Engh officiating. His family would love to celebrate Eric's life and share stories at an outdoor reception at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. At the end of Eric's life, he was able to fulfill his desire to help someone ... he was able to give someone else hope with the miracle of his life. The family suggests donations in Eric's memory to Project CDA, Attn.: Julie Green, principal, 725 Hazel Ave., Coeur d'Alene ID 83814.