Connor Thomas Gaddy was born Christmas Day of 2015. He was a true gift from above to his parents, Chris and Kassy. After 11 bright and bubbly months on this earth, Connor was called unexpectedly home on Dec. 10, 2016.

On May of this year Connor was diagnosed with a genetic degenerative neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA affects about 1 in 10,000 babies and the second largest death of infants. It causes weakness in voluntary muscles resulting in difficulty eating, breathing, and use arms and legs. Despite this diagnosis, Connor’s personality blossomed. He was smart and spunky and could light up a room with a wink or a flash of his flirtatious grin.

He loved animals, especially his cat Binx, who could be found laying by his side or on his lap at any given moment. He loved being surrounded by his kitties and his “paw patrol.”

Connor also proved a love for music by bobbing his head to the beat of his favorite songs and playing whatever instrument was at hand, whether it was his drum, maracas, or piano.

His favorite color was red and it brought him joy during the fun times and the rough times. During one hospital stay, Connor was given a big, red balloon that seemed to lift his spirits until he was able to ride his red wagon right home.

Connor’s life was filled with immense love, but was not without hardship. Despite this, he was in good spirits, talking, reaching, and laughing, in the days before his passing. On the Saturday of his death, Connor was happy and watching the lights on the Christmas tree when he became unresponsive. Connor’s nurse, Kimberly, as well as the Davie County EMS team worked tirelessly to bring him back, but Connor had already taken his journey to Heaven.

Conner brought love and joy to all who knew him and will continue to do so. His parents made the selfless decision to donate his corneas and heart valves to help other babies live and see, as well as donating his body for research to help find a cure for SMA.

Connor is survived by: his parents, Chris Gaddy and Kassy Walter; grandmothers, Lorie Walter and Arlene Wyatt, grandfathers John Gaddy and Jesse Walter; great-grandparents Stan and Marge Barnett and Maybelle Hill; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Connor’s celebration of life will be held at Hillsdale United Methodist Church with visitation at 1 p.m. followed by a service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

In lieu of flowers, his family requested all to bring a lightweight toy to be donated to Cure SMA to go to newly diagnosed SMA children in memory of Connor.