Max's passion for Wake Boarding and Wake surfing behind his boat. Being a Gymnast, his talents were unsurpassed by the stunts he would pull off on the water.

June 15, 1996 ~ June 6, 2016

Max DeFrees was born June 15, 1996 to Michael and Cristi DeFrees from Vancouver WA. Max lived in Vancouver his whole life. He attended Seton Catholic Preparatory High School and was just beginning his junior year at the University of Portland.

Max's funeral service was held June 11, 2016 at the University of Portland campus, Chapel of Christ the Teacher. Father James Gallagher, C.S.C. officiated his service.

Max is survived by his parents, Michael and Cristi DeFrees; his four nephews, Luke and Zach Amstad, Christian Cramer, Colby DeFrees; grandparents, Sally Cramer and Joyce Lewis; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Special people in his life, Jenny Koenig, Nikki Pierce, and Lubo Ivanov. Max was preceded in death by grandparents, Don Cramer and James DeFrees.

Max was an athlete. At an early age soccer and karate began his athletic life. By age 8 he started his love of gymnastics and won numerous all around state and regional awards, culminating in winning at the Junior Olympics Floor Exercise competition, his dream was fulfilled. Max also enjoyed many activities including wakeboarding, surfing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, golfing, fishing, and he was great at all of them. His biggest joy was teaching his friends and family how to do all these activities. Max made everything look easy.

Max loved the adventure of traveling to other countries. His list includes Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Okinawa, Costa Rica, France, Monaco, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and Hawaii. He loved learning new cultures, trying new food, meeting new people. Max was a friend to all.

Max wanted to dedicate his life to helping athletes and leading them to achieve their goals. The Seton Catholic College Preparatory High School, Max DeFrees Memorial Fund has been established to build a new training facility at their new high school, http://www.setonhigh.org/makeagift or by mail to 811 NE 112th Ave., #200, Vancouver, WA 98684. Another organization he felt strongly to support is the Iron Cross Foundation, www.ironcrossfoundation.org, Supporting Boy's Gymnastics Dreams.

Max will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. He was the kind of young man that everyone would be proud to call son, grandson, and friend.