DUCHAM, Edward “Eddie” William 23, of Midland, died Monday evening, May 10, 2010 while surrounded in love by his family. He was born November 13, 1986 in Midland, son of Alan and Jean (Fulkerson) Ducham of Midland. Eddie was a student at H.H. Dow High School.
Eddie was almost 21 years post bone marrow transplant for a rare genetic disorder called Mucoppolylsaccharidoses, Type 1, Hurler’s Syndrome. Being about the 20th Hurler child in the U.S. to have a lifesaving bone marrow transplant for treatment of Hurler’s Syndrome, he was a pioneer in the field. In October 2009, Eddie was diagnosed with a squamous cell tumor in his lower jaw which took his life and was unrelated to his Hurler’s. Eddie touched many people’s lives. It was truly an honor and a blessing to be his parents. He will live on in our broken hearts forever.
Eddie was a volunteer babysitter at the Midland Community Center Kids Korner where he loved playing with and listening to the voices of the little children. He looked forward to participating in the Center for Independent Living’s HangTime program every summer on Wednesday afternoons. Eddie loved celebrating birthdays, eating cake, and everyone singing the Happy Birthday song. He looked forward to getting together with “The Gang” and especially at Sanford Lake and driving Jim’s boat every summer. Eddie loved not only school, but the bus ride to and from. He was really good at telling the drivers when to STOP and GO. He loved going to the tennis center, bowling, and swimming/hot tubbing with his classmates. Eddie’s favorite class was gym with Mr. Neher. He was an excellent basketball player. Eddie loved his music, and you very rarely saw him without his tape player and bag of children’s songs. Among his favorite songs were, The Cat Came Back, This Little Light of Mine, If You’re Happy And You Know It, Clap Your Hands, Bingo. His favorite books were: Goin on a Bear Hunt, Barney’s Alphabet Fun, Spot Goes to School, Winnie the Pooh, and Brown Bear. He loved going with his buddy, Dawn, on Sunday afternoon excursions. He also loved his walks with his Mom and his good friend, Sue. He said “bless you” to anyone who sneezed, coughed, or cleared their throat whether he knew them or not. Eddie was a huge Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune fan and visited the sets of both shows twice in his lifetime meeting and having his picture taken with Alex Trebek, Vanna White, and Pat Sajack.
He will be sadly and deeply missed by many. He is survived by his parents, Al and Jean; brother, Jason (Wendy) Ducham and their son, Austin of Tennessee; grandmother, Joan Fulkerson of Midland; special aunts, uncles, and cousins, Jim (Tammy) Fulkerson and their children, Todd, Ella, Paige, and Hunter of Midland, Janet (Mark) Forde of Ypsilanti, Bill (Danielle) Ducham and their children, Kirsten, Josh, Billy, and Dani of Reed City; his very best friends, Heather Naessens, Doug Dean, Tony, Dawn, and Anna Sauve, Michelle and Brianne Altman, Pete and Marge Bush, Robert across the street, Sue, and his Midland Lions Club buddies; and by several other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Eddie was predeceased by his grandfathers, Tad Fulkerson, and Chick Ducham; and by his grandmother, Donna Ducham.
~Funeral~
Funeral services for Eddie will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 14th, from the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Chapel, 1200 West Wheeler Street. Rev. Sam Hamilton of Emmanuel Baptist Church will officiate, with graveside burial rites in Midland Cemetery.
~Visitation~
Eddie’s family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
~Memorials~
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the National MPS Society, PO Box 14686, Durham NC 27709-4686, or MidMichigan Home Care.