Oxford has lost one of its bravest and youngest fighters.
After a year and a half battle with leukemia, Dakota Robert Unger, 5, passed away on July 2, 2004.
‘He was just such a sweet little boy, always caring for others,? Anne Roop from Little Scholars of Oxford said of the young man she took care of and knew well. ‘Even in the hospital, the doctors would refer to him as the best. He never cried or whined about the IV’s. He was tough – tough, tough, tough as all could be.?
Dakota, who lived with his grandmother Nancy Unger and little brother Joey in Lake Villa Manufactured Home Park, was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2003 at the age of 4. This past December, the spunky five-year-old went through a bone marrow transplant thanks to a matching donation from his younger sibling.
However, Dakota’s remission from the cancer only lasted a month.
‘His body was very resistant to the treatments,? explained Roop.
This past June, Dakota returned to Children’s Hospital in Detroit for a three week stay. During that time, the ‘tough? Oxford youth did more living than some kids would do in a lifetime.
‘While in the hospital during the past month he had several wishes granted, all by Rainbow Connection of Michigan,? said Roop. ‘He did so many things.?
An avid fan of Sponge Bob Square Pants, Dakota got to meet his squishy hero. Sponge Bob came in and gave the youngster a personal performance along with plenty of surprises, pictures and hugs. Dakota also got private showings from a magician and a clown.
But his biggest wish was yet to be granted: Dakota got to go home and spend time with his grandmother, little brother and five cats.
‘Getting to come home that last week was so special,? said Roop. ‘He got to sit outside with his grandmother and brother, go for a walk in a stroller and play with his cats. These are things he never would have gotten to do in the hospital.
‘Many visitors came to see him who love him very much. He got to be with everyone who cares.?
Roop, who has been helping Nancy Unger through this difficult time and even set up a fund-raiser late last year for the family, decided to arrange one last surprise for Dakota. She contacted the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and asked about having a patrol car and officer visit the youngster.
‘I set that up because I knew he wanted to be a policeman when he grew up,? explained Roop. ‘I asked him once, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up, a fireman?? and he said, ‘No, Joey’s the fireman, I want to be a policeman.??
Sgt. Glenn Walker with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Oxford Substation, along with Deputies Earl Greim, Mike Schmitzerle and Steve Clark, visited Dakota on June 29. The four officers granted yet another wish for the youngster.
‘We deputized him that day,? said Walker. ‘We brought him his own real pin badge with his own number and little standard cards that we had put his name on.
‘The strength he had when we saw him was amazing. We were all awed by the end of the day of the little guy.?
‘I couldn’t believe it when they brought him out this little badge and cards that said Deputy Dakota, Badge #1,? remembers Roop. ‘They let him sit in the patrol car and talk on the radio to other deputies and dispatch. Then they let him turn on all the lights and sirens, and then talk some more on the radio. It was so wonderful.?
In memory of Dakota, the staff at Little Scholars of Oxford have made poster boards displaying all of his wishes. The pictures show everything from his visit with Sponge Bob to his being deputized.
In addition to his grandmother Nancy Unger and his younger brother Joseph Unger, Dakota is survived by grandparents Dennis (Brenda) Unger of Illinois and Theordore (Shelby) Dutton of Montana; cousin Rachael Unger; and parents Philip and Deborah Unger.
Dakota’s funeral is scheduled for July 8 at 11 a.m. at the Lake Orion Chapel of Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home. Reverend Robert Service will be officiating. Burial ceremonies will be held in Oxford Township Cemetery.
Since Dakota was deputized during his June 29 visit, officers with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Oxford Substation, are planning on providing him with a police escort and casket guard.
‘We’re going to do the best that we can to do it really nice for him,? said Sgt. Glenn Walker. ‘We do have to keep an eye on the township, but we are going to have officers there to honor him.
‘A police officer’s funeral is something special, so we’re going to try to make it special for him. He deserves to be honored for the strength he has shown.?
Memorial donations may be made to Dakota’s grandmother Nancy Unger, P.O. Box 244, Oxford, Michigan, 48371.