Early in the morning of December 24th Ian James Ceran (15) went to sleep dreaming of Christ's birth. Moments later he awoke to the reality of his resurrection. Ian was truly an extraordinary teen. A man in every way, with the heart and smile and innocence of a child, he was as Christ like a young man as I have ever known. If all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto him, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. Nearly done with his Eagle award and ready to graduate as a sophomore so he could finish a bachelor's degree before his mission, he was a gifted artist and pianist and composed numerous songs that we often said, "were not of this world." He loved the Savior, the gospel, his family, sacred music, sword fighting, and BYU football. But his heart was especially tender for his mother and little sister who joined him on his journey back home. As full of love and prone to hug us as when he was three, he was a boyish giant. A valiant home teacher, he touched so many lives for good, but none more than mine. He was a part of me. And I feel that a part of me is gone. His greatest desire was to create movies and music to bring men to Christ. He dreamed of somehow finding a way of actually creating a score that would let him share with man the "Song of Redeeming Love." His heavenly music and pure heart have at last found a home in the only place wonderful enough to contain them. And we long for the day when he will once again throw his arms around us in all his exuberance and joy. The months, days, and even moments preceding his death, in retrospect, all allowed him to say goodbye and leave this world with no one doubting the joy that was his destiny and is now his reward. We will miss you, buddy! Ian is survived by an older sister Clarissa (19), a younger brother Caleb (12), and a father who will never forget the gentle giant he became. (Gary Ceran- Father)

Joint funeral services for Ian, his mother Cheryl and sister, Julianna will be held Saturday, December 30, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cedar Hills LDS Stake Center...
Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 12/29/2006.