Charlie Garlick July 9, 2008 - December 5, 2020

Charles Elwood Garlick was born on July 9, 2008, under the name Tennison Jagger Wright. Charlie’s biological mother’s name was Keri Wright. Charlie was born in Evanston, Wyoming. On December 5, 2020, Charlie left this life and left behind his parents, Adrian Garlick, Alisha Epps, and his stepmom, Jessica Garlick (who he also called mom). He leaves behind a long list of siblings starting with the oldest: Reid Garlick, Melanie Garlick, Savanna Garlick, Jeremy Garlick, Lydia Epps, Oliver Epps, and Willow Epps. Charlie leaves many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins behind that have loved and supported him from day one. Charlie also leaves behind lots of friends, teachers, animals, and hearts that he has touched.

Charlie had a rough start to life. From the day he was born, Charlie started out as being homeless. Charlie lived in a car with his biological mom, Keri, who suffered from some extreme mental illnesses. The mental illnesses played its toll and caused some early suffering on Charlie’s development and outlook on life. Charlie was thin and was not given the essentials that he needed. Eventually, Keri was arrested for some crimes she committed, and Charlie was placed with us, as a temporary foster home, at the age of four. When Charlie came to us, it was obvious that he was suffering from some important milestones and was developmentally delayed; and demonstrated what appeared as some form of mental illness. Charlie came to us knowing just a few words: daddy, pizza, and bubbles. Daddy was what he used for his mom or a caretaker. Pizza is what he used for food, and bubbles is what he used for bathroom. We found out the following day, after he arrived, what bubbles meant, when Charlie pulled his pants down in the front yard and started peeing. Charlie had one little phrase he used when he wanted something and that is “Help. Help me.” One thing Charlie has always had is the biggest smile that you could ever see on anyone.  This was his secret into melting hearts, anyone who knew Charlie knows about his smile. Charlie had many behavioral and eating problems that he eventually overcame. Charlie was diagnosed at 5 years of age with Autism. Charlie went through occupational therapy, physical therapy, worked with a nutritionist, and went to a private autism school, Clear Horizons Academy. A lot of help and consistency helped Charlie overcome his early struggles and delays, as he shined as a wonderful, smart happy boy.

After being placed with us in foster care for two in a half years, Charlie was finally adopted in 2015. Charlie chose his adopted name, Charlie, from his favorite movie, which was Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. From day one of joining the family, Charlie already felt as if he were always there and always in the family. Some of Charlie’s favorite things were – and have always been – ships, tornadoes, water (swimming pools, sprinklers, showers) chocolate, nutcrackers, samurai swords, pizza, and everything related to history. Charlie’s knowledge on anything history was nothing short of genius. You could ask him when a certain event happened and he could tell you the exact year, weapon used, or who was involved.

Charlie was close with all of his siblings; but with two of them, as if they were his twins: Savanna and Jeremy. From day one, Charlie and Savanna were connected and went everywhere with each other. Charlie did not know any better at first, and would attack anyone who came close to him; this included Savanna. This was because of his autism and neglect from his early childhood. But Savanna did not care and did not back away. She stayed there and adored him, laughing as she watched Charlie do some pretty interesting things. Charlie gained great respect for Savanna and followed her everywhere. Charlie loved playing with his oldest sister, Melanie. They loved playing Bendi’s  World  and  Mommy  Moosie’s  World.  These games were adventurous, imagination  worlds  that  they created together. Shortly after that, Charlie found out that we all were safe for him and has always shown nothing but love for everyone involved in his life.

At mom’s house in Eagle Mountain, one of Charlie’s favorite things to do was to make adventurous books (needed some help with the spelling from Melanie and Savanna). He had several history books that he loved to read while being over there, and loved to chop things with his ninja swords (of course, with his mom present). He had all kinds of animals to play with while over there. Charlie didn’t really want any pets, because he didn’t want to take care of them, but loved to play with them all. Charlie enjoyed playing big brother to Oliver and Willow, while being over there. Charlie attended Frontier Middle School and enjoyed every minute of it. He had lots of friends there and everyone loved and adored him. Charlie loved and collected nutcrackers. His collection was from small to big, with ten in all. Charlie’s favorite thing to do was reading history books.

Charlie got the opportunity to travel some, with his mom and siblings, to Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona (visiting Grandma and Grandpa Epps), Kansas (Wizard of Oz Museum), Oklahoma, California (beach, Disneyland, Sea World, Universal Studios), and Nevada.

Charlie also loved visiting Grandma and Grandpa Partridge at their farm. They loved taking him to get ice cream or some candy and a drink at the gas station; and Charlie absolutely loved it. Obviously, his favorite drink was root beer – it always has been.

Over at dad’s house, Charlie also had plenty of history books and would always try hiding them in his bed so that if he woke up early, he could read them. He slept on the top bunk, above Jeremy. Every morning he would wake up with Jeremy and they would start right into their playing. Some mornings they would play a game on the television and others on the tablet; but most times, they would just be crazy and wild in their rooms, as brothers should be. One time, after making one of their many movies on the tablet, they had the idea that they would show the movie to mom and dad, and that it was so good, mom and dad would pay them money (clever little boys). He loved going sledding in the winters and playing in the snow. Charlie would build forts with his siblings and play shooting with nerf guns against his dad. Charlie and Jeremy would always like to gang up on dad during an extreme nerf gun battle. Charlie loved play fighting and wrestling with his dad and big brother, Reid. Whenever someone was getting picked on or beat at a game, Charlie was always the first one to run over and save them, to be their hero. Charlie loved the outdoors and loved going fishing and camping. One of his favorite times fishing was with Grandma and Grandpa Garlick, where he caught the biggest fish. He made sure he rubbed it in everyone’s face and had a picture of him taken with that cheesy smile that we all love. Charlie has always made sure that he would give his parents hugs every time he saw them.

Charlie’s favorite time of the year were all holidays, but Christmas was his favorite. It didn’t matter what holiday was next, at least a month prior to the holiday, Charlie would be right on us, asking why the decorations were not up and when we were going to put them up. Charlie would always make sure for Christmas that the first decoration to go up would be his nutcrackers, followed by the Christmas tree. Well, Charlie, we will all have our nutcrackers out and our trees up, so you can see them from heaven.

Growing up, Charlie always said he wanted to be a storm chaser. We won’t ever understand what the reason is or why Charlie has left us so soon, but we will always know that he is the biggest storm chaser now, as he has caught a ride with Jesus to Heaven. There is so much more I could say about this wonderful child, but I do know this … he has a place in all of our hearts. He has touched us all and has impacted our lives forever. Charlie, you are loved by all. We will always miss you and are comforted knowing that we will see you someday. We know you are smiling down on us now.