Quin Harrell was the ultimate optimist — even at 19, even with cancer.

On Jan. 12 — almost eight years to the day after a diagnosis of osteosarcoma — Harrell passed away. Never again will Harrell do push ups with Fuji Fleetion. Never again will Harrell be a captain of a sports team with April Yarbrough.

Cliff Williams is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers.