An Extraordinary Life: Plainfield teen left his legacy

PLAINFIELD – Legacy.

This one word sums up the reason why Adam “Whitey” Calkins, 18, did the zany things he did, said his parents, Keith and Jennifer Calkins of Plainfield.

Such as wearing a tie-dyed suit to prom. Such as his tendency to break into song and dance.

“He loved every kind of music, from Johnny Cash to rap,” Jennifer said. “He loved Neil Diamond.”

Such as creating a rap video when he ran for class president (which Adam won) at Plainfield Central High School during his senior year. The video still makes his parents smile.

“He was always so full of life,” Keith said.

Such as showing support for his school by supporting home games with his enthusiastic attendance and then supporting his friends as their personal cheerleader in all their endeavors.

“He had so much energy,” Jennifer said. “He could light up a room.”

Such as being the yin to his brother Zachary Calkins’ yang – despite the fact Zach is five years older than Adam, Jennifer said. Such as not being embarrassed to hug Jennifer when she was having a stressful day or take the hand of a friend grieving the death of his brother with a reassuring, “It’s going to be OK.”

“He was compassionate,” Keith said. “And he had a huge smile.”

During those times Adam got into mischief, Jennifer couldn’t keep him grounded for long.

“He always said, ‘I have to leave my legacy,’ ” Jennifer said.

It appears Adam did just that.

On Oct. 9, Adam, an asthmatic, woke his parents in the middle of the night struggling to breathe. When medicine through a nebulizer failed, his parents called 911. Jennifer said he collapsed in her arms before paramedics arrived.

Although Adam was revived, the concern was brain damage from lack of oxygen. Adam was pronounced dead Oct. 13 and removed from the respirator Oct. 15. His memorial service was held in the gym at Plainfield Central High School the following day.

In the meantime, the foundation Adam set for his legacy bloomed. About 200 students visited him in the hospital before his death, Adam’s parents said. After Adam died, students printed and distributed shirts with his image on them. They started a Twitter account in his name and shared memories.

Keith and Jennifer felt amazed at the outpouring of love, and yet they weren’t surprised.

“He touched a lot of people in a deep way just because of how kind he was,” Keith said.

Students also set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for medical expenses. The account already is in excess of $22,000, Keith said. He and Jennifer said they will use that money to fund a scholarship in Adam’s name.

Adam wanted to be a psychologist, Keith said.

“He was interested in how the mind worked, why we thought the way we did and why we did the things we did,” Jennifer said.

Adam’s organs were donated to Gift of Hope in Illinois. As a result, three people will live because of Adam’s legacy.

A 59-year-old woman received Adam’s liver and right kidney, Jennifer said. A 66-year-old man received his heart. A 36-year-old man received his pancreas and left kidney, Jennifer added.

Adam’s lungs were donated to research. Memorials are directed to the American Lung Association. And this is the final part of Adam’s legacy, the part Keith particularly stressed. He wants to raise awareness of the seriousness of asthma.

Keith said he never realized people could die from asthma, even asthma that appears mild or childhood asthma assumed to be outgrown. He hopes making people aware will save lives, even if it didn’t save Adam’s.

“I always said he put 100 years into 18,” Keith said. “He’s with God now.”

• To feature someone in “An Extraordinary Life,” contact Denise M. Baran-Unland at 815-280-4122 or dunland@shawmedia.com.