Emily Laura Urrutia

When Emily Laura Urrutia would glide past on her furry Heelys, wearing her black and red Pokemon cap, she captured the attention of children and their parents. This was just one example of who Emily was and how she made a statement.

Emily was a kind and sensitive person who took the time to make her friends feel like they were special. Emily was resourceful and had a boundless imagination that allowed her to make the most of any situation.

Emily was born in Austin, Texas. She was the daughter of Mike and Karen Urrutia, and the younger sister of Amanda Urrutia. Always at the ready with a sweet smile, she enjoyed making others laugh and share in joy. While some who knew Emily might describe her as quiet, her friends and family understood well that Emily could be good-naturedly playful and a loyal friend.

Emily was fearless and ready to enjoy the moment. She headed straight for the water at her first swim lesson, climbed nervously high into trees, and mastered roller skates on the first try. Emily was intelligent and had a knack with computers. She designed her first video game in the fifth grade, and created the graphic art for her father's Android apps. Emily embraced the challenge of running with her father in the annual ASH Dash 5K and Sendera Neighborhood Fun Run. She enjoyed swimming, skating, jumping on her pogo stick, riding her scooter, exploring nature with her mother, and bike riding with her dad to Dick Nichols Park. She was innovative, making numerous inventions with items from the recycling bin as a pre-schooler. Emily's memorable achievements included 1st Place Science Fair (2nd grade and again in 3rd grade), Honorable Mention Capitol Lasertoma “Quiet Please” Poster Contest, Marathon Kids Running Medal, 1st Place Medal Clarinet Solo and Ensemble, Reading Medal, 1st Place Sendera Neighborhood Fun Run (2010-2012), 2nd Place Sendera Neighborhood Fun Run (2014), 2nd Place ASH Dash Bunny Run 5K (2013) and 1st Place Texas A&M Galveston Summer Sea Camp $850 Scholarship (2014).

Emily's hobbies included collecting Care Bears, mixing Dubstep music, playing video games, decorating with finger nail art, and dressing up at Cosplay as “Link”. Her bold fashion sense and individual flair always presented her uniqueness.

Emily is survived by her father Mike Urrutia, mother Karen Urrutia, and sister Amanda Urrutia. Services were held at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Emily's wish is to have her ashes scattered in a volcano to become part of the Earth.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Emily. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Emily Urrutia for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Emily was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones, and her ever-present concern for others always took precedent.