It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Theo, a precious baby boy from southeast Texas whose short life left an extraordinary mark on countless people. For the past 10 months, so many of us have followed his journey — praying, hoping, and believing alongside his family. Though his time here was brief, his courage was undeniable, his fight relentless, and his impact immeasurable.
Theo passed peacefully last week, cradled in the loving arms of his mama and daddy. In the end, he was exactly where he had always been strongest — surrounded by the fierce love of his parents.
Over the course of his 10 months, Theo endured more than most adults ever will. We witnessed a battle no child should have to fight. There were ventilators and constant monitoring. There was swelling that brought fear and uncertainty. There was a tracheostomy — a trach that became part of his daily life. There were long nights filled with alarms, specialists, and whispered prayers in sterile hospital rooms.
And then there was the cross-country move to Philadelphia — a leap of faith fueled by hope. His parents uprooted their lives, leaving behind home, comfort, and familiarity in pursuit of one thing: a chance to save their son. They traded their everyday routines for hospital walls and medical teams. They chose faith over fear, courage over convenience, and love over everything.
Through it all, Theo’s mother stood unwavering in her decision to keep fighting for her baby. She defended that choice when questioned. She carried the weight of impossible decisions with grace and determination. Together, his parents showed the world what it means to advocate fiercely for a child.
And through every procedure, every setback, every fragile victory — Theo never spoke a single word.
Yet somehow, he spoke to all of us.
He spoke through his resilience. Through his quiet strength. Through the softness of his tiny hands and the power of his presence. His life became a rallying point for thousands of strangers who came together in prayer. People who had never met him whispered his name at bedtime, in church pews, and during quiet moments of reflection.
A small boy who never formed words created a community bound by hope.
Yesterday, Theo’s parents laid their beautiful son to rest.
In the midst of unbearable grief, his mother shared that the service was “absolutely beautiful in every way.” The church was filled with light. The music carried meaning. The scripture brought comfort. Even the weather seemed gentle, as if honoring the sacredness of the moment. Most of all, there was love — overwhelming, surrounding, steady love from family, friends, and even those who had only known Theo through a screen.
It was not just a farewell. It was a celebration of a life that changed hearts.
“I kept telling Toby how PROUD I am of our son,” she said. “A small boy who never spoke any words left such a big impact.”
Those words capture the miracle of Theo’s life. Impact is not measured in years. It is measured in love given and love received. And by that measure, Theo’s life was abundant.
After placing her sweet boy into the care of the funeral director and kissing his head goodbye, his mother turned to embrace her husband. In that sacred, shattering moment — when grief feels almost too heavy to stand beneath — she said she heard the Lord whisper softly to her heart: “I got him.”
Three simple words.
Three words that carried comfort deeper than despair.
In the middle of unimaginable loss, they were reminded that Theo was no longer fighting tubes and swelling and hospital stays. He was held. Safe. Whole.
Theokles Chase Tunning
04.07.2025 – 02.10.2026
Ten months. That is all the time they were given. But in those ten months, Theo taught lessons about courage, faith, endurance, and unconditional love. He showed us that even the smallest lives can leave the largest imprints.
If you followed Theo’s journey — if you prayed for him, shared his story, or whispered his name in quiet moments — would you consider leaving a message of love and condolence for his parents today?
They read every single one.
And right now, as they navigate days that feel impossibly heavy, they need to be reminded of what we already know: their little boy’s life mattered. He was seen. He was cherished. He was deeply loved.
And he will never be forgotten.
