Family Asks Military to Attend Funeral of Little ‘Army Man’

The family of a child in Arkansas who died last Thursday from cancer is asking military personnel to attend his funeral on Tuesday.

River “Oakley” Nimmo, 5, wanted to become an “Army man” when he grew up, but died tragically after losing his battle with neuroblastoma, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Nimmo’s dearest wish was to become a member of the United States military, and he often dressed up in his uniform and played with toy guns.

“Oakley spent most of his life, fighting to live and did it with a smile on his face,” his obituary states.

“We, as his parents, are very proud of the patriotic heart and devotion to the United States that Oakley had,” his parents said. “He was the true definition of courageous.”

Nimmo was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2015, and later cleared of cancer in 2017 after receiving chemotherapy. However, he was re-diagnosed a month later when doctors discovered he was suffering from swollen lymph nodes.

A Facebook page titled “Prayers for Oakley Nimmo” has more than 20,000 followers and supporters.

“Tonight around 5 p.m., our sweet boy, River Oakley Nimmo, went to heaven in my arms,” the family wrote on the Facebook page Friday.

“We are absolutely broken. He FOUGHT absolutely 110% until the end.”

A GoFundMe page to support the family during their child’s battle with cancer has raised more than $50,000 since August of 2017, when Nimmo was diagnosed a second time.

“This family greatly needs your prayers most of all, but also needs money for traveling and medical expenses. Oakley is the toughest 3 year old I know! Please join me in the fight against cancer with Oakley so that his parents can again hear those awesome words “Cancer Free!” The text of the fundraising page reads.

By inviting military service members to the funeral, the family hopes to remember their son in the best way possible.

“We are going to give Oakley a full military service in honor of his wish to become an ‘Army Man’ one day.”