Austin Muckenfuss' family said the teen, who aspired to be a police K9 handler, left behind countless memories of his vibrant personality.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Austin Muckenfuss left behind many things.
There are the bright red and black sneakers, customized with the 14-year-old's nickname and favorite number, AMUCK4, that he specially designed as a joke with one of his four older brothers.
Or the handful of football jerseys hanging on his bright green and blue bedroom walls, representing just a fraction of the dozens he wore over a lifetime spent playing on township teams.
Then there's Teddy, the 6-year-old shih tzu-bichon mix that Austin, known as a dog whisperer to his family and friends, taught to play football in the backyard.
Austin, who died suddenly on Nov. 6 after an accident on Delsea Drive, left behind countless reminders of the vibrant, loving boy he was in his family's Washington Township home.
"He really did live, and knew he was loved by us, and loved us," said his mother, Kim Brody-Muckenfuss, as the teen's family gathered at their Washington Township home over the weekend, sharing memories of a life well-lived in a short time.
His life
As soon as Austin was born on Dec. 20, 2000, one word came to his parents mind -- glue.
Kim and Rich each brought two sons from previous marriages when they wed but Austin's arrival, and his short, shining time in their lives brought their blended family together in a tremendous way.
"He was our glue," said Brody-Muckenfuss. "[His birth] brought all the boys together... he took a piece of each. I could see each boy in him."
Two of the them, 22-year-old Tyler Muckenfuss and 23-year-old Dylan Brody spent time with their parents Saturday at the Muckenfuss' home, which has become a central spot for family, friends, classmates and teammates to gather to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mostly, they talk about the ways in which Austin stood out, and made his family's world a better place. There are many.
Every morning, Austin would text his dad just 30 seconds after his dad dropped him off at the bus stop.
"Have a good day at work, dad. I love you," the text would always say. His dad always replied he loved him too. Austin would argue he loved his father more, and they'd go back and forth for 15 minutes.
It wasn't the kind of text argument you'd expect to have with your 14-year-old, but Rich Muckenfuss said that was just the kind of kid he was.
No matter where the family was going, from a quick trip to Home Depot with his parents or the car inspection station with his brother in snowy weather, he had to come along. He had to be with them.
Not a day went by his didn't kiss his mom goodnight.
"He wasn't afraid of showing affection," his dad said. "He wasn't afraid to show people he loved them."
Despite struggling with a reading comprehension learning disability, Austin worked hard, everyday, to succeed. He aimed for a career as a police K9 handler, the ultimate combination of his passion for both dogs and public service.
"He wanted to serve," said his mother, adding that meant Austin knew he had to keep his life on the straight and narrow. He followed the rules, almost obsessively. Sometimes, she'd even have to tell him to relax a bit, and have fun.
Fun for Austin meant football. He grew up on the football field after first putting on a helmet at the age of 5, and worked his way up the midget football league before joining Washington Township High School's freshman team this fall as a running back.
In the locker room, his sharp one-liners lightened the air after a defeat. He never complained about failed plays.
It wasn't until after his death that his family heard more about just who he was.
A teen Austin's mother had never met before told her at the viewing that while everyone else excluded him for his weight, Austin gladly hung out with him. Austin was his best friend, the teen said, and he dreaded returning to school, knowing Austin won't be there.
Another student told Austin's parents when another boy was bullied on the bus, Austin simply got up and sat with him the rest of the ride.
"We didn't know he did any of this," said his mom. His family may not have known, but they're not surprised.
"He was always a sensitive kid," said his brother, Dylan Brody, a member of the Army Reserves who Austin constantly admired for his service. "He wouldn't let me leave the house without a hug."
His memory
More than 2,000 people showed up to say goodbye to Austin at his services, held a week after the accident. Austin and a friend were attempting to cross Delsea Drive in Glassboro when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old Clayton man, who stopped at the scene. No charges have been filed as the accident remains under investigation.
After he was hit, Austin was flown to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he died at 2 a.m. from internal injuries.
Brody-Muckenfuss, a nurse who has spent countless nights comforting grieving families in emergency rooms over the past 9 years, said she never imagined she'd face the same life-shattering moment.
"I knew life was fragile, I see it everyday," she said. "But never did I think I'd be on the other side."
Doctors were able to save Austin's corneas, heart valves and some tissues to be donated. Just this past February, after hearing a conversation about organ donation, Austin told his dad he couldn't understand why anyone would refuse to donate them.
"He still got to help people in the end," his mom said.
At the first game his team played without him, Austin's teammates gathered before the game began, standing two-by-two, silent in the pouring rain. Brody-Muckenfuss hugged every boy.
During the game, on a 2-point conversion play that was Austin's specialty, the boys instead ran a "ghost play." The quarterback went to hand off the ball to Austin, as if he was there. After the play, it was thrown up to the Muckenfuss family as they sat in the fans.
"It was pretty intense," Brody-Muckenfuss said. The ball, now signed by Austin's teammates in silver ink, sits in a glass case in their home.
All of the funds raised in his memory, about $20,000 so far, will go toward a scholarship for Washington Township High School seniors who show the traits of perseverance and overcoming obstacles like Austin did.
A perseverance award in Austin's name will also become a staple of the township's midget football program.
"His name is going to live on," Brody-Muckenfuss said.
MORE: Washington Township K9 remembered for 'incredible' career
All of it -- the emotional tributes from his teammates, the outpouring of support, the constant stream of friends and family dropping by to share memories or a home-cooked dinner -- is the only reason Brody-Muckenfuss said she gets out of bed each morning.
That, and the solace she finds in one more thing Austin left behind -- a voicemail message from June 26, at 6:02 p.m.
Austin never left voicemails, but his phone screen was broken that day and wouldn't hang up calls well, so a rambling message was the only way he could let her know what he was up to. He was with friends, but it didn't stop the teen from saying words she'll now treasure forever.
"You know I love you so very much mommy," Austin is heard saying in sing-songy voice, repeating again, "I love you."
Brody-Muckenfuss said she never saves voicemails. But she saved that one back in the summer, just because it was goofy.
"Who would've known what an amazing thing he just left me?" she said after replaying it, and lingering on the words Austin said as he realized the long message was still recording.
"I'm still here," he says, before the message fades out.
Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.