By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
A special memorial was dedicated Monday, April 30, in honor of Tyler Romaker during the grand opening of the Warren County Pregnancy Options Center (POC) in Warrenton.Romaker, a graduate of Warrenton High School and remembered for his No. 2 Warrior football jersey, was killed in a motorcycle accident Sept. 2, 2016. He was finishing his last semester before earning his degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.His parents, Roger and Andrea Romaker, established a scholarship fund after his death to keep his legacy alive. Joining the family with matching funds was the area Knights of Columbus 2341.“He was very pro-life,” said his mother. “We wanted to keep his legacy alive by supporting pro-life organizations. When we heard about the POC, we knew we so wanted to provide the ultrasound machine.”Andrea said it’s important to provide the service because a large percentage of pregnant women choose life after viewing their baby’s image on the ultrasound.Romaker’s parents said his journey to preserving life began as he counseled a friend to keep her baby and seek other options to abortion.“She chose adoption,” said Andrea. “Tyler got to see the birth. It was an open adoption, so our family gets to visit him. He still refers to Tyler as his ‘Ty-Ty’.”Andrea said adoption has vastly changed over the years. Open adoptions are much more prevalent, allowing the mother and other family members to have contact with the child, she said.“We wanted so much to keep his memory going,” said Roger Romaker. “It is healing for us and helpful for others.”“Tyler’s spirit and heart is going to be here. He was such a giving person,” said Andrea.According to his parents, Tyler was honored at a vigil at Mizzou, by saying “you either liked him or loved him.” Tyler, who died at 22, was a member of Marching Mizzou, ROTC and Delta Chi Fraternity. He also was an Eagle Scout.The U.S. Army posthumously commissioned him as a second lieutenant.The Tyler Romaker Memorial Fund provides two scholarships at Warrenton High School and two for University of Missouri students. Funds also are provided to eighth-graders at Holy Rosary Catholic School for transportation costs while traveling to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.The Pregnancy Options Center is located at 103 S. East St. in Warrenton. It is open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; every first, third and fourth Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m.; Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. or by appointment.The center can be reached 24/7 by calling 636-235-1477 or via email at info@pocofwarrencounty.org.
The family of Tyler Romaker, Warrenton High School graduate, and the Knights of Columbus #2341, provided funds to purchase an ultrasound machine for the Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County. Romaker was killed in a motorcycle accident in Columbia at the age of 22. Pictured, from left, are J Chowning, the center’s executive director; Hollie Chowning, client services director; Andrea and Rodger Romaker, Tyler’s parents; and Matthew O’Brien of the Knights of Columbus.
Record Photo/Cindy Gladden