A Letter from Tom's Brother: 'My brother was one of the kindest and most caring people you could meet. We were different in many ways, but I hope we were similar in at least some. His stories of helping others (even when, many times, he had so little) made you want to emulate his compassion and benevolence. His intelligence and varied skillsets astounded you and made you jealous. His over-your-head puns and jokes made you pause, think, and then laugh uncontrollably. His manner of dealing with children and inevitably making them smile was incomparable. He was a diamond in the rough. 'That's not to say he didn't have his flaws'like each one of us. He was stubborn. If he disagreed with you, he'd tell you (and maybe not in the kindest way). But even after biggest argument we ever had, the last thing he said to me was, 'I will always love you.' (We made up after that of course, as we always did). 'Tom also had pain and sadness in him that I hope none of us can ever truly understand. The constant struggle with that internal pain lasted for many years. In the end, he believed the pain to be so unbearable he felt his only way out was to take his own life. As people flooded the hospital room before he passed, they all said some variation of the same nine words, starting the conversation with 'Tom helped me when...' and ending it with 'I loved him so much.' If he had known how much he meant to others, maybe I wouldn't have to be writing this. 'And maybe those kinds of words to others will prevent another brother from losing his own. Reach out. Be kind. Tell people you love them. If you're struggling with depression or sadness, you're not alone. Get help. Call me; call your sibling; call your parent; call your friend; call your coworker; call a counselor; call the suicide hotline (1-800-273-8255). You're loved; you're someone; you're worth it. 'Tom, I will always love you. I will always admire you. I will always miss you. I will keep with me the lessons you taught me, and I will try to treat my future children with the same patience and kindness I've seen you show to others. I know I'm just one of many that feel this way. Even with your last act you're doing what you've always done'helping others. Your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs and tissues will bring such joy to so many other families. In your death, may you give life, create hope, and perpetuate love. May you find peace.' Thomas Mark Callanan, 32, of Cedar Rapids, decided to end his life, passing away on May 17, 2019. With his final act, Tom donated several organs, giving life to others. A memorial gathering will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, with a sharing of memories at 6:30 p.m. at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, at the funeral home. Survivors include mother, Belinda James of Dysart; brother, Matthew Callanan of Des Moines; and sister, Amber (Erwan) Simon of France and her children, Owen, Loeva, and Alannah; grandmother, Ulla Christensen; as well as several extended family members and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Mark. Tom was born October 31, 1986, in Cedar Rapids, to Mark and Belinda (Christensen) Callanan. He enjoyed playing pool, spending time with friends, and outdoor activities including boating and disc golf. Memorials may be directed to Stewart Baxter to be used to offset funeral expenses.