MONROE, Sevier County — The community in central Utah is commemorating the memory of 14-year-old Dexton Obray this Valentine’s Day by initiating a fundraiser to deliver roses to local high school girls, a gesture he was known for.
According to Dexton’s mother, Brittney Obray, who expressed in a fundraiser description, “We understand that not every girl may have a special valentine, and our Dext always ensured that no one felt left out.” She further stated, “In his honor, we are perpetuating this tradition and aspiring to extend it annually to other educational institutions.”
The Story of Dexton
Dexton is remembered as a beacon of light to all those he encountered—a kind and gentle soul. Despite his active involvement in football, unbeknownst to his community and family, he grappled with inner turmoil. Tragically, at the tender age of 14, Dexton took his own life on Oct. 26, 2022.
In a statement provided to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Dexton’s parents conveyed their shock at his silent suffering, attributing it largely to the adverse effects of social media.
Following his heartbreaking demise, Dexton’s family has been dedicated to sharing their narrative. They persist in advocating for new legislation and pursuing multiple legal actions against TikTok and Meta to prevent other youths from meeting a similar fate.
Dexton’s parents reposted excerpts of online content sourced from Dexton’s phone algorithm and saved videos posthumously. These videos contained troubling references to self-hatred and death.
“This content could be likened to TikTok rated G based on what we had to witness,” the post remarked, concluding with the hashtag “#DoItForDext,” a prevalent theme in posts concerning Dexton and the impact he continues to have on the lives of other teenagers and families.
#DoItForDext Initiative on Valentine’s Day
One notable instance of his influence at school gained traction on TikTok through Dexton’s mother’s account. This occurred when a group of girls visited her months after Dexton’s passing. Each girl had received a flower from Dexton back in 2019 when he decided to gift one to every girl in his fifth-grade class.
A snapshot of Dexton Obray featured on the fundraiser header, aimed at sending Valentine’s Day roses to young women in local high schools in his honor. (The Obray Family, GoFundMe)
These girls arrived with roses and balloons, reminiscing about their favorite moments with Dexton to his mother. This year, Dexton’s family is fundraising to distribute roses to young women in local high schools as a tribute to his legacy.
The previous year, a video capturing this event went viral. This year, with the establishment of our Dexton’s Light foundation, we invite you to assist us in sponsoring as many girls as possible this Valentine’s Day! For more information, check the link in the bio.
It is specified that a $3 donation can sponsor a flower for one girl. Brittney Obray expressed her desire to perpetuate this initiative annually, aiming to impact as many girls as feasible.
*KSL TV does not guarantee the allocation of funds from the GoFundMe account to the specified beneficiaries. If considering a donation, it is advisable to seek guidance from personal advisors and proceed with caution.
If you or someone you know is grappling with suicidal thoughts or displaying warning signs, reach out to the at 988, where crisis counselors are available 24/7/365. Calls made to legacy crisis hotlines, including the former National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also be connected to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.