Meliesa Branson-Stiles expressed gratitude and appreciation following the conclusion of the First Annual Family Over Everything 5k Fun Run/Walk Austin Stiles Memorial on Nov. 30 at Ceres High School. 

A total of 116 people participated in the fundraiser event, including 101 locals and 15 virtually from Southern California, Idaho and London.

A total of $3,000 was raised.

“We loved the outpouring support from our family, friends and the community,” said Branson-Stiles, Austin’s mother. ‘Being the first year of the event, I think it was a huge success. I feel it will only grow year after year.” 

The Stiles family held a candlelight vigil on Dec. 1, marking the third anniversary of Austin’s passing.

Austin lost his life in a car accident in Acampo.

He was just 24 years old.

“Someone asked me today why I have three fundraisers and a vigil going on at one time?,” Meliesa stated in a Facebook post on Nov. 20. “My response was because three years ago it was my last Thanksgiving with my boy, three years ago I didn’t know that this is how I would be spending my holidays. I didn’t know that we would have an empty seat at Thanksgiving. I didn’t know that it would be the last text he sent me, I didn’t know I would never hear his voice again. There are so many things I didn’t know so to make this time bearable I consume my time in doing things in his memory. Austin had a heart of gold, he was kind, he was loving, he was generous and he was a giver, he also was a fighter (lol). He would do things to make people smile, he would help someone in need, he loved his family, and his friends who he considered family.”

Stiles’ death elicited an outpouring of memories, tributes and prayers on social media.

Les Bonsu of Bonsu Elite Athletics (BEA) in Ceres trained Stiles.

Stiles spent so much time at BEA he formed a friendship with Bonsu, his wife Yvonne and their daughter London. He was in their wedding party.

Stiles also volunteered at the training facility as he relished providing advice to and working with younger athletes.

“My family and I are devastated,” Bonsu said. “Austin was an angel on Earth and loved anyone he met unconditionally and was always there to help anyone or offer support or encouragement genuinely without asking for anything in return. He loved his family, and he loved hard. We loved you like a son, and this hurts so much.”

Brett Johnson coached Stiles for a combined six seasons in football and track and field during his prep athletic career with the Bulldogs.

“Austin was a bright light wherever he was,” Johnson said. “I was fortunate to have the pleasure of watching him grow into an amazing young man. It was a pleasure coaching him, as well as coaching with him. He was always quick with a smile and willing to help others. This loss is not right, not fair and is unable to be understood. The good Lord has a plan, we just aren’t privy to it.”

Julio Marquez was Stiles’ basketball coach for three seasons at Ceres High School.

“Being the top athlete at the high school, Austin didn’t let that affect him,” he said. “He was cool with everybody. He always looked out for people. He was such a good kid. He was fun to be around. He was very passionate about everything. That’s what I admired about him.”

“He was with me early in my coaching career,” Marquez added. “He’s the hardest-working kid I’ve ever been around. He was on another level. After practice, he’d go work out again and shoot more shots. He did that on a regular basis. There were times I had to tell him to slow down.”

Chris Lubinsky met Stiles at Mae Hensley Jr. High and they played one season of football together at Ceres High.

“It’s hard to think about him being gone,” Lubinsky said. “He was so young. He had so much more life to live.”

Lubinsky and Stiles made up one of the top quarterback-receiver duos in the Stanislaus District during the 2015-16 school year.

“He was such a great athlete,” Lubinsky said. “He was the best player on the field. You couldn’t do too much to stop him. You couldn’t match his work ethic. He was so driven. He carried himself like a pro. It was incredible to watch. I looked up to him. He was a role model. He made me want to be a better version of myself. He was a super generous, thoughtful, humble, loving guy. He made people feel they were important to him.”

The Stiles family created multiple fundraiser events in Austin’s memory.

The Austin Stiles 3rd Annual Basketball 3 on 3 Memorial Tournament was held on Dec. 7 at Central Valley High School.

Two winners will receive over 50 pounds of pork through the Austin Stiles Memorial Pig Raffle this year. Ceres High FFA Advisor/Agriculture teacher Mardel Runnels donated the pigs.

Fundraiser proceeds benefit Austin Stiles Memorial Scholarship recipients and team sponsorships in local sports leagues.

A total of 36 student-athletes from Ceres High and Central Valley have been awarded a combined $14,000 since the creation of the scholarship fund three years ago.

“Everything Sam (Austin’s father) and Meliesa have done to keep his name out there is amazing,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t fathom losing a child.”

“We want to keep his name alive here in Ceres,” Meliesa Branson-Stiles said. 

Stiles graduated from Ceres High School in 2016.

He earned nine varsity letters, including four in track and field, three in basketball and two in football.

Stiles earned all-Western Athletic Conference honors in all three sports during his senior year.

A first-team all-WAC receiver, Stiles caught 64 passes for 1,015 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games. He led the conference in receptions, yards and TDs. Stiles earned an invitation to play in the 43rd Annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Game.

Stiles averaged 11.8 points per game on his way to earning second-team all-league accolades in basketball. He helped lead the Bulldogs to their second straight Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearance and a third-place finish in the WAC standings (8-4).

Stiles won the high-jump title at the 2016 WAC Track & Field Championships.

He topped competitors from Livingston, Los Banos and Pacheco en route to posting a perfect 3-0 record during the conference dual season.

Stiles cleared a personal-best 6 feet, 6 inches while finishing first at County Clash IV event.

He also placed first at the Stanislaus County Meet.

Stiles’ football career came to an abrupt end at College of San Mateo in 2017 due to a spinal condition.

He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis after having multiple surgeries to repair hip and groin injuries.

“People try to live in the past,” Stiles said while being interviewed by the Courier a little less than a year before his unexpected passing. “Right now, I’m grinding, trying to take steps forward. I just bought a new truck. I want to buy a new house. I train the younger kids and do team sessions at BEA. Bonsu helped me all through high school. I want to do the same for all the little guys coming up. I want to teach kids you have to train hard but be smart.”