New Lenox Man's Legacy Inspires Family, Friends To 'Live LaMore'

NEW LENOX, IL — Aaron LaMore loved everything about Veterans Day.

An Army vet, the 45-year-old New Lenox man soaked up every minute of appreciation each year—he'd dine out for breakfast and lunch for the deals—and relish the public's recognition of his and others' service.

"He was very proud," said his wife, Erin LaMore. "He thought it was amazing to be celebrated."

Veterans Day 2022 brought a more somber moment and a different kind of sacrifice—LaMore was escorted on an Honor Walk as his family said their final goodbyes, and some of his organs were harvested for donation. His death came days after a freak accident, when LaMore fell out of a moving car while collecting food donations for his daughter's Girl Scouts troop. He struck his head on the pavement, causing multiple head injuries. While hospitalized, he suffered cardiac arrest, rendering his condition so grave, Erin and family were faced with a decision to find some good from their loss.

"We knew inevitably the outcome," said Erin's brother Ryan Talaga. "We were trying to figure out how to make the situation better."

In his end, his heart, kidneys, liver, eyes and skin tissue went on to save or improve lives. His family made the decision to take him off life support, just before midnight on Nov. 11, 2022.

He died and gave new life, all on his favorite day.

Now nearly two years after his death, his family strives to maintain his legacy, working closely with transplant organization Gift of Hope and others, to raise funds and other items to support families that might find themselves in a similar position. Erin LaMore, brother Ryan Talaga, and Aaron's siblings Anna Milton and Kristie LaMore have started the Live LaMore Foundation, as a means to generate support for organizations that played an integral part in LaMore's story, in death and in life.

The foundation's largest fundraiser—the Live LaMore Golf Outing—is in its second year, to be held July 12 at Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort. The inaugural outing raised $21,000, the majority of which went to Gift of Hope. The first outing sold out with 150 golfers, and 230 total attendees. They're hoping now to grow the event, and boost support for Gift of Hope, as well as local veterans organizations and LaMore's alma mater, Manteno High School.

"Our hope is to continue to gain traction for the foundation," Talaga told Patch, "so we can continue to serve those organizations we’ve partnered with."

'It Happens Every Day'

Five days passed between LaMore's fall and his final breaths. Days spent at his bedside, both fearing the inevitable and bracing for it.

It's cold in the hospital, and emotions brim over. Erin and Talaga both recall it clearly, a reminder that they'd like to ease those same moments and days for other families.

"Everyone’s lives are uprooted," Talaga said, "So how can we help people whose lives are impacted the same way, because it happens every day."

Talaga and Erin learned of the Legacy Blanket program, a project by the Kyle Zuleg Foundation. Started 15 years ago by the Zuleg family, it was a way to honor their 16-year-old son Kyle, who died in 2010 after being struck by a falling tree limb while playing flashlight tag with friends in a forest preserve. The impact of the falling limb caused a fatal spinal injury, his family shared on the foundation's website. Declared brain dead, five of Kyle's organs were donated.

The family sought to share Kyle's story and preserve his legacy through the blanket program, to provide comfort and warmth during these terrible circumstances.

Initial efforts led to 10 blankets given to families in need, and the program has exponentially grown over the years. The Live LaMore Foundation has now joined the effort, partnering with the Kyle Zuleg Foundation.

"We know that the blankets will not take away the pain and sadness for the families, but if it can provide a sense of comfort, warmth, and support—even for a moment—then it is worth every penny and effort from all involved," Talaga told Patch.

Included with the blanket is a picture of both LaMore and Kyle, with a summary of their stories.

"We hope that these stories will help other families know that they are not alone, the impact that organ donation can provide," Talaga said, "and that they have now entered a new family within the organ donation community that will be there to support them and their specific needs.

"With continued support from the Gift of Hope, the Zuleg Family, and the Live LaMore Foundation, the Legacy Blanket program will be able to provide between 800 and 900 blankets to families in Chicagoland and northwest Indiana who may find themselves in a similar situation in which we found ourselves in with Aaron in November 2022."

Talaga and Erin hope the gift brings some solace to families.

"... You can't prepare for that, Erin said. "... It's a waiting game. We hope to give them some kind of comfort. ... At least we can help out in that way, and share our story."

Talaga and Erin continue to work to select other organizations that can both honor LaMore's legacy and help others. They've been diligent to pinpoint causes LaMore held close to his heart.

On May 15, they'll award two $1,000 scholarships to students graduating from Manteno High School. They'll focus on students seeking out careers in public service.

Manteno was LaMore's hometown, and also where he and Erin spent 10 years of their marriage before moving to New Lenox. The LaMore name carries weight in the small town of 10,000.

"If you are a LaMore in Manteno, they know who you are," Erin said, laughing.

They've also locked in a partnership with Manteno-based American Veterans Service Dog Academy, an organization that works with Kankakee Community College and Peggy Moran's School for Dogs, LLC to support veterans diagnosed with PTSD by providing them with trained service dogs.

"Aaron was a huge dog lover," Erin said. "I’m a dog lover and dog groomer. We know a lot of people that have dealt with mental illnesses. We just feel that it’s very important."

Talaga stressed that they've been careful to choose organizations on a smaller level.

"It was important to us to deal with someone on a smaller scale, so we could make a big impact," Talaga said.

'I just want to keep his memory alive'

Erin and Aaron first met in 2004, but she knew of him before then. He had dated one of her friends, and years later, Erin asked her about him. Her friend still had a suitcase of his, so she invited him out.

"He came out, hit it off, and that was it," Erin said.

They were married two years later. They lived in Manteno for years before moving to New Lenox.

Their daughter Mia was 12 at the time of Aaron's death; she'll turn 14 in August. The family has been grieving together.

"It’s been hard," Erin said. "I think the hardest part for me is watching my daughter. I’m OK — watching her is very hard. She’s an only child."

She's felt the support from her family and community.

"I have a lot of support around me, family and friends," she said. "Coworkers and neighbors are a huge support for me."

The foundation is a useful way to funnel her grief.

"I feel like it helps, tremendously," she said. ""I love the foundation. It gives me great joy to do it.

"I feel like we made an impact, too—it’s put things into perspective for friends and family. I think it is doing a lot of good, I’m glad we could do it."

Talaga agreed. And Aaron would have supported the effort, if it were for someone else.

"It’s sad that it’s for him, but again, just trying to make the best out of a tragic situation, help people that are in a similar situation," Talaga said. "If this were someone else in our family, and Aaron were still here, Aaron would be all about it."

Aaron loved to golf—though he was terrible at it, Talaga joked.

"He'd hit 14 shots into the woods, and somehow miraculously still saved par," he joked.

Erin said it was likely more about the whole experience, rather than just the game.

"I think he liked the idea of it, being outside, having a beer," she said. "It was just his thing. I wish he could have done it more."

Rooms are a little emptier and quieter with him, Talaga said.

"You always knew he was around," Talaga said, "because he was so loud, and he had a really deep voice."

For his family, the golf outing is a chance to gather in his memory and do something he enjoyed (even if he wasn't very good at it).

"It’s nice to look forward to," Talaga said. "We know that day is sacred. We get together with friends and family, honor Aaron and his gift to these people who were in dire need."

For Erin, it's even simpler.

"I just want to keep his memory alive."

Registration is open now for the July 12 Live LaMore Golf outing.