Cody Canon Mcdonald

The loss of a dream not fully realized - that is the death of a baby ripped from his family before he could blow out the candle on his first birthday cake.

Cody Canon McDonald was born on Dec. 13, 2015, in Billings. He passed away on Oct. 23, 2016, due to complications from meningitis.

Cody's adorable wispy brown locks, intensely sweet blue eyes, kissable bow lips, and button nose all added up to one of the most animated and charming faces anyone can recall. Many would argue it was his delectable baby rolls and chubby cheeks that really stole the show. The lucky ones charmed by Mr. Cody and his beguiling smile all tell the same tale - this happy boy had the best laugh they had ever heard.

Cody loved so many things in his too-short life, including Mondays with his incredible daddy Ian; being doted upon by his doe-eyed sister Eva; and doing anything anywhere with the apple of his eye: his momma Halley. Cody loved to have his mom close to him, recently crawling past all of his favorite toys to follow her to the laundry room just to get a glimpse of her smile.

In addition to his parents, Ian and Halley McDonald, and his big sister Eva McDonald, Cody is survived by his adoring grandparents, Joanie McDonald and Chris McDonald, Vicki Hicks and Ben Graves, and his surrogate grandparents/caregivers Debbie and Gregory Turner. Cody will also leave behind his loving aunts and uncles, Joy and Jack Giovanini, Patrick McDonald, and Shannon and Jim Craig. He will be dearly missed by his cousins Cooper and Madalena Giovanini, and Michael Craig. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, J. Cody Montalban and Harold S. Hicks Jr.; aunt Molly Montalban; and uncle Kevin McDonald.

The family wants to extend their eternal gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community the last week of Cody's life with so many generously giving and sitting vigil in the commandeered PICU room his uncle Patrick lovingly dubbed "Camp Cody." A special thanks goes to the St. Thomas parish who has been steadfast in this time of need, which comes just a week after beautiful Cody was baptized in the hands of his mom and dad with his caring godparents Travis Heringer and Kelcy Heringer by his side.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Vincent's PICU ward to support their amazing staff or the Ramsey Keller Foundation, which provides assistance in the face of unimaginable loss. Halley and Ian ask that everyone touched by this tragedy take nothing in their life for granted, remembering to embrace and cherish their children, spouse, family and friends.

Services for Cody Canon McDonald will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2055 Woody Drive, with burial following in Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park on Grand Ave. There will also be a celebration of Cody's life at Hilands Golf Course (714 Poly Drive) at 12 noon on Friday.