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Joseph Tracy Baptista, known to all as J.T., passed away March 30, 2007 due to complications from the flu. He was 7 years old (almost 7 1/2 if you would ask him!)

J.T. was born October 18, 1999 in Pleasanton, California. He was our Halloween miracle. We tried for over a year to get pregnant and were ecstatic to finally have him here!

J.T. was schooled at home in association with Colorado Virtual Academy. He LOVED being at home with his mom and siblings and thrived in the homeschool environment. J.T. also attended Northern Colorado Karate in Loveland and was an Advanced Yellow Belt. The dojo was his second home -- everyone is family there. He excelled so much and became so concentrated with what he was learning. He would practice everywhere he could. J.T. was an avid NASCAR fan and his favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr. How he loved the #8! He would get so excited on race day! We wouldn't need the sound on because he would give us the play-by-play -- "Hey, Dad, did you see that? Jr. just passed Gordon on turn 4! AWESOME! YEAH!" He knew all the drivers, car numbers, point standings! His memory was amazing.

J.T. loved to play with the neighborhood kids -- capture the flag, snowball fights. He was just getting some newfound freedom and able to go on long bike rides with the bigger boys. He felt like such a big kid!

One of his favorite sports was shooting, although he was good at everything he did. He just got his own pistol for Christmas and loved his father/son time with his dad out at the gun range.

He was a fish in the water and loved to swim! He wasn't afraid at all of the big slides at the local pools. It would scare mom more than him!

He loved to laugh his big belly laugh and did everything to the fullest degree.

J.T. is survived by his parents, John and Sarina Baptista, a brother Anthony (3 years old) of Loveland, a sister Alessia “Lacey” (5 years old) all of Loveland, Colorado, Grandparents John and Adele Baptista of Petaluma, California Vita Fuller and Jack Ober both of Post Falls, Idaho, Great Grandmother Mary Silva of Sebastopol, California.

We miss him more than words can say. We know he had to go take care of some really important stuff to leave the family he loves so much. We feel his presence with us every day. Forever we will be bonded by the love we share.