Photos taken by Braxton Stuntz displayed at CHOMP to honor his memory

A Carmel teenager’s short life — remembered forever.

These are the hopes of the parents of Braxton Stuntz who lost his life doing what he loved.

The 18-year-old slipped and fell while hiking with friends along Garrapata State Beach in January and was swept out to sea. His body was recovered a few days later.

His name is one loved ones want never to be forgotten.

The studious 18-year-old wanted to be a doctor, just like his father.

“Braxton and I traveled around the world. He loved to do medical missions. Twice we went to Cambodia where we were helping at a surgery center for children in Phnom Penh,” says Michael Stuntz.

He captured amazing photos along the way.

Now those photos line the walls of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, to celebrate Braxton’s art and allow his memory to live on.

“I’m just filled with emotion and pride and able to see the positive side of Braxton and what a wonderful person he is even though he’s gone. And I’ll be visiting here quite often to be part of this and to be with him in this way,” says Braxton’s mother Ruth.

“It’s a range of emotions you feel when you see your son’s work—it’s pride, happiness, joy, and then sadness for his loss. Those are the things I feel. And every day is different. And I look at each picture, and every picture is different, so you see new things in it and it’s photography and art, so it’s wonderful,” says Michael.

CHOMP’s art curator says knew Braxton’s work was the perfect fit.

“He was able to just compose a shot that really brought out the light in the area, still giving us all the colors and the patterns, but just really positive and I just felt that energy which has been really exciting to work with and curate them for the wall here,” says Amy Essick.

Dr. Stuntz also works at the hospital. Now he’ll be reminded of the spirit of his son and the moments they spent together, every day he walks the halls .

Braxton’s family has started a foundation to further some of the interests near and dear to his heart.

Click here to find out more or donate.

But it doesn’t just stop there.

Braxton’s father wants to make sure Braxton’s death wasn’t in vain. Braxton died at a place with limited cell phone coverage. When braxton fell into the ocean– his friends weren’t able to call for help, nor could rescuers communicate with each other.

With the help of congressman Jimmy Panetta’s office, Dr. Stuntz has developed a task force to improve the cell service there.