Del Oro grad killed by falling tree is remembered by family, friends

Tragedy struck a family in the Ophir community last week when Dakota Wilson, 20, was killed Feb. 13 by a falling tree he was tending to on his family ranch. Wilson was described as a quiet but passionate young man who had a love for fishing, hunting and farming. "He was always true to himself just by being Dakota. He didn't want to play up too much to anybody's expectations in regards to what others had expected of him, but he was just Dakota," said Wilson's stepfather, David Chaddock. "A lot of us admire him for that." Chaddock described Wilson as someone who was quiet in his day-to-day life but loud about the things he was passionate about. "He had a big heart for little kids and animals, even though he always says he didn't," Chaddock said. "If there was a little kid or an animal, he was gonna make sure that it loved him." Perhaps nothing reflected that more than his involvement in the Future Farmers of America program at Del Oro High School. "Dakota was a very special young man. I've known him since he was a kid when he showed chickens and was a classmate of my son," Del Oro FFA and agriculture teacher Regina Dvorak said. "He was a gentle soul who was kind, helpful and always ready with a smile. "He was never one to have cross words with others, nor would he get involved in the drama that is all too prominent in high school." Wilson was to be married this summer to his fiancée, Grace, who he's known since the two attended elementary school together. "He loved her immensely and their connection was deep and strong; they were blessed to have each other, first as friends and then as soul mates," Dvorak said. "I enjoyed many conversations with both of them about life and family. They were a big part of my and my boys' lives, and I was honored to be a part of theirs." Dvorak set up a GoFundMe.com page for Wilson with a goal of raising $10,000 to help support the family and pay for memorial expenses. As of Monday, the page raised more than $15,000. "I will miss seeing his sweet smiling self and getting those big hugs I had to stand on my toes to get," Dvorak said. "I want to say thank you to this amazing supportive community for all their contributions to the GoFundMe and the wonderful stories they share as they fondly remember Dakota. The love for this young man and his loved ones is such a blessing to witness." Wilson's celebration of life took place Sunday at his place of employment in Foresthill with more than 300 in attendance. At the service, Dakota's mother, Tara, said, "He always thought that nobody liked him," but after seeing Sunday's attendance, she said it was apparent that "nobody liked him, they loved him."