By Dee Riggs | Wenatchee World
Gov. Chris Gregoire honored the family of Alfredo Jeronimo Reyes Wednesday in an awards ceremony in Olympia. The governor also honored the families of five other people who donated organs. Jeronimo’s family was not able to attend the ceremony.
“My father was a very noble person, very kind and generous all his life,” said his daughter, Karina Jeronimo of Malaga in a phone interview. “He made it clear to all of us that if anything ever happened to him that he would love to donate his organs so other people would benefit from them. He loved the idea of giving life.”
A news release from the governor’s office states that Jeronimo’s kidneys, liver and heart valves were given to three people. Jeronimo was 49 years old when he died.
The governor annually gives out Washington Gift of Life Awards, based on recommendations from Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank and LifeCenter Northwest. LifeCenter Northwest is one of 58 federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organizations in the country. It serves Alaska, Montana, North Idaho and Washington.
Among Jeronimo’s survivors, all living in Malaga, are his widow, Irma Jeronimo; another daughter, Bertha Bribiesca; and a son, Alfredo Jr.
Jeronimo suffered head injuries when a trailer loaded with rocks, being pulled by a tractor, came loose from the tractor in September 2009, according to Chelan County sheriff’s deputies. The trailer headed downhill, running over Jeronimo, who was working at Sensesey Orchards on Stemilt Creek Road.
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