I’ve never been to a child’s memorial service and hope I never have to go to one again. Ezra Phoenix Chatterton, whom I met once in May at Blizzard Entertainment’s headquarters, was remembered this morning in a church in Riverside. Family and friends gathered to remember the young soul taken too soon by brain cancer.
Ezra was not just an inspired World of Warcraft player. He’s one of those old souls, who was more insightful than many of us will ever be. He played word games when he was 3. He was writing a novel at 11. I wanted to share with all the WoW fans who offered condolences to Ezra’s family how remarkable this kid was and will always be.
Ezra, who died last week at age 12, was a philosopher. His novel, which was partly autobiographical, starts with a young mouse asking his father, “What is the meaning of life?”
What pre-teen thinks about that?
Micah Chatterton, his father, told of the day he tried to cheer Ezra up following one of the more grueling treatment sessions. He said, something to this effect:
Do you want to go eat?
No, I’m not hungry.
Do you want to go see a movie?
No, I’m not in the mood.
Do you want me to play a song?
Yes. ‘Mad World.’
Why?
Because I want to hear about people who are worse off than me.
Micah expressed his gratefulness again to all the Warcraft players out there who shared Ezra’s struggle with cancer. Micah called Ezra the best person he’s ever known in his life. Ezra’s mother, Elizabeth, talked about how at age 3, Ezra was fascinated with words and started giving himself more names: “Ezra Phoenix Rainbow Robot Chatterton” was the first. He probably ended up with 20 names — I can’t remember them all.
But I will always remember Ezra.
Read past articles on Ezra
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Our thoughts are with his friends and family. Although I didn’t know him personally, I am saddened by the loss to the world.
You will be missed.
My deepest sympathies to his friends and family, anytime i pass the old farmer whose dog is missing in future ill give him a wave of friendship, FOR THE HORDE!
i am a avid WOW player and just read about ePheonix and i wish to say to his family that he will be remembered.
rest well hunter….
I’ve done his quest on all my Horde toons. I never knew the backstory until I did research on the NPC Caylee Dak in Shattrath City. What a story. Blizzard really knows where the heart is.
Rise up, Pheonix. Take your rightful place amongst heroes, real or imaginary.
Kurathan, 70 Undead Warrior, Kael’Thas Realm
As many other Horde players have done so, I have played and enjoyed the quest as well. I just read of Ezra’s passing on Blizzard’s website and wanted to extend my sympathies to his family as well.
Carry the hunt on, young hunter!!
Strength and honor!
I only just heard about this. I may be an alliance player, but my heart goes out to Ezra’s family. You had an amazing child.
Ezra, wherever you are now, I hope you’re happy and pain free. I hope that the life that was stolen from you is given back to you in some way now. I’m glad you got enjoyment from WoW.
You will be missed.
Zyik, 80 Alliance Mage, Hyjal
I only found out about this also- after doing the quest on my tauren alt.
A part of you will always be with us on WoW, every time we come past the lost dog Kyle we will remember your struggle and strength. I hope you are happier now, i really do.
You will not be forgotten, Ephoenix!
Though I never knew the boy, I wish that I had. I started following his condition late in the game, and had quickly grown to admire him. When I had heard about his death, I was shocked and saddened. I was so sure that he would continue, and, though I know brain cancer is a tricky thing, I was so sure he would completely get over it, whether it be through a medical breakthrough or just a miracle.
Speaking of miracles, he was one.
Ezra, wherever you are, let the Troll’s famous words offer you some good wishes: “Spirits be with you.”
Many a dew drop will fall.
Many a cloud with form.
Many a dry patch will form from the sun.
Many a dog will run past me, and everytime I’m going to think of Ezra and how he would have liked Kyle to be fed…=-)
RIP little man…
Far too soon are the great things in life taken from us all. ePhoenix was one of those great things. However I may not have known him, I seem to have gotten a better grasp on things since reading the posts about this Great child/ son/ and hunter.
Ezra it is never known where the world we live in may take us. But we do know that the Journey is all but easy. For you the journey was one of Strength, Honor, and Pain. But only 2 of these things remain for you Young Hunter… The Strength you have given to many of us. And the Honor you so inherently deserve for enriching the lives of us.
I know it may not be the best I could do for you, but I will play a character in your name, Get him all the best items, and gear, and of course find Kyle, and ride your Epic Mount.
Hunter be strong, keep watching over us, and always remember you are in our Hearts, and our Prayer.
” FOR THE HORDE”
Young hunter, /son / friend / fellow player, The earth mother is a woman with her own plans and own ideas, I know that yor part in her plan is not over, infact i beleve your jurney has just begun.
May the earth mother guide you young hunter.
I allso want to point out that juring the Lunar festival players can pay there respects to him in game where Ezra is remeberd as “Elder Ezra Wheathoof” and you watch over the other warcraft players from the highest peek of thunder bluff. Thank you blizzard for giving us the gift of having Ezra ingame to pay our respects
and as an Alliance player this will be the first time i say this, and im glad, proud and happy to say this for Ezra,
FOR AZEROTH!!
&
FOR THE HORDE!!
RIP my dear friend, and you have earned your place in Valhalla, where the once that fall in battle will live and be remebered as Heros, cause the battle you fell to is the hardest batte to win, but you sure did put up a fight,