I’ve known Isaiah since high school. We had a couple classes together and even hung out at the same group during lunches. He was a big part of the group, no one was ever bored and he would come up with the most hilarious conversations. Not only that, he was there for everyone and always tried to cheer up anyone having a bad day. He was also passionate about his current interest. 

We really bonded by sharing the same interests; anime and video games. The games that were special to both of us were Pokémon and Kingdom Hearts. I remember one lunch, me, him and the others had the greatest Pokémon battle. We got weird stares because all you can see is our heads looking down very intensely at our DS screens just because he wanted to be deemed pokemon master.  I ended up defeating him and from then on out he referred to me as “senpai”( a Japanese term  used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, or sports club also often seen as a mentor). I was always confused by being called that but he reassured me that it was suitable. In our sophomore year, his passion for kingdom hearts began, he would ask me a million questions about the story and share his theories. We both would always fangirl about it and we were  excited for the next installment to the franchise. We drifted apart between 2018-2019 but  would often send each other memes and videos. Eventually , we reconnected with our group chat,  discussing pokemon and shows. 

The photo above was taken on one of our spirit days Senior year. I chose this photo because it really shows his fun and silly personality.
I’m very thankful we kept in touch and to have known an amazing, kind, and funny friend like him. “May your heart be your guiding key”(Kingdom Hearts quote).  I also want to send my condolences and deepest sympathy for the Tapia family. 



I first met Isaiah our freshman year of high school. I had just moved to a new city and didn’t know anyone, Isaiah was the first friend I ever made. We would hangout every day during lunch and breaks throughout our four years of high school. 

Isaiah was the kindest person I knew. He was always there to make me laugh, to give me a hug, or geek out over Harry Potter. We watched movies together, took the bus home together, hung out after school, celebrated birthdays together, complained about classes together, helped each other, made each other laugh, and even went to prom together.  

As I think back to all our memories, the most common thing I remember is laughter. He always knew how to bring a smile to my face. Isaiah was more than just a friend to me, he was the older brother I never had. I knew we could rely on each other and things would be okay. 

When we graduated high school, I moved away for college and we didn’t get to see each other as much. But despite the distance and gaps of time we didn’t talk for whatever reason, whenever we saw each other or talked, it always felt like no time had passed. When we would reminisced about high school and how our friendship continued the way it had after all the years, he would said “it’s because you’re Caro.” And he was right, it’s because he was Isaiah, our friendship just made sense. 

Before I moved to the UK, Isaiah and I had a catch-up. We planned hanging out before my move but, due to our different schedules, we didn’t get a chance. Even with the time difference, Isaiah and I continued our friendship—our quick hello’s, how are you’s, and many memes and funny videos, was proof that our friendship was still strong.

I cannot express the words of love and gratitude I will always have for Isaiah. He brought so much joy to my life and I know we both knew how much our friendship meant to each other. Sending so much love, light and my deepest condolences to his family.

I will forever miss you, my friend. 

Isaiah was a high school classmate of mine. We hung out in the same friend group, we always saw and hung around each other during breaks and lunch. From what I remember about him, he was always energetic, smiling, and laughing the entire way through high school. After high school we didn’t keep in touch so news of his passing came to me as a surprise. Isaiah was well-loved by his peers and his family and he always had a way of lighting up the room with his energy. I truly hope you’re in a better place right now Isaiah. Rest well my friend.

TO MY DEAREST FIRST NEPHEW ISAIAH TAPIA. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU  AND MISS YOU BUT NEVER FORGET YOU..  IT'S WAY TO SOON FOR YOU TO LEAVE OUR SIGHT AND OUR ARMS TO HUG  YOU AND SEE YOU.. REST IN PEACE ISAIAH  I KNOW YOU ARE IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW LOOKING DOWN AT US AND WISHING THE SAME,TO HUG US N SEE US.  I WILL SEE YOU SOME DAY AGAIN AND WHEN WE DO IM GIVING YOU A BIG BEAR HUG AND NEVER LEAVE MY SIGHT.. R.I.P. ISAIAH RONALDO TAPIA LOVE YOU ,TIO ELI, TIA YESENIA, & PRIMO AARON... 🙏 🙏 🙏  TAKE CARE OF HIM ABUELITA.. 

Isaiah,  mijo las pocas fotos que tengo tuyas con tus primas y hermanas ,  son el recuerdo mas preciado que tengo de ti. Las pocas veces que se quedaban con nosotros fueron momentos hermosos,  me gustaba como siempre salias con tus ocurrencias , que las hacias reir o llorar.  Ya que eras el consentido de grandma Lourdes.   Nuestro guerito de ojos verdes cuando recien nacistes. Mijo, aunque me dejas con el corazon hecho pedazos pero con muchos recuerdos hermosos pero pocos a la misma vez.  Siempre estaras en mi corazon ♥  como el guerito hermoso.. 
Te quiero y extrañaré mucho
Tia Alex 

My thoughts and prayers are with the Tapia family.  ISSIAH you were such a beautiful soul. Am gonna miss our stories and laughs we would have when ever you came to nanas house. But am gonna miss that smile that would light up the room. You will always be in my heart ❤️.  REST IN PARADISE BOI. YOU WILL BE MISSED 😢🙏🙌

It was a pleasure to have Isaiah in my life and  having him as my oldest best friend. We have been friends for about 20 years. Which sounds crazy to think as time flies. 

I remember as kids when we were forced to go to our sister’s practices and how boring they were. But once we met it made going enjoyable. Growing up we were inseparable and it was great to have someone match my nerdy interests. Whether it was going to Comic-Con or playing Pokémon (literally every game to date), I always had him there to enjoy it with and be my rival.

As time passed we gradually drifted into our lives but always stayed in contact through it. Especially these last few years we constantly talked almost on the daily. He would hear me out when I complained about my long hours of studying and he would be encouraging through them. I never realized how much he helped me in life by just being there for me.

He is irreplaceable and will be missed but he will definitely not be forgotten.


Isaiah,
You stoled my heart since your mom brought you home. Your smile gave me butterflies of happiness. 
Eventhough, I didn’t watch you grow up all those years. I always carried you in my heart. 
Thank you for making me feel loved until your very last moments. I’ll never forgot how you used your energy to place your hand on top of mine when I was telling you how much I love you. 
My sweet baby Isaiah . I’ll never forget your smile and your big heart .
Someday we will dance together in heaven.
You are my beautiful Angel❤️ RIP
Love you, 
Nina




As I I look back and check my photos , I don’t have a single picture with Isaiah. All the memories are carried in my heart especially when you all came to visit Modesto.  Isaiah was so young, he rode in the car  with us  and played “I Spy”   Every time it was his turn  he would say “ I spy with my little eye something yellow “ then I would reply “ Oh you mean that thing over there? “  and he was so cute saying  “ Tia , how did you know?  I did not know but he would believe it.  He fell for it all time.  His innocence, kindness and his immense heart had no wrong no malice.  He is one of a kind, a true warrior that fought til the end showing his generous spirit,
My handsome nephew you will always be in my heart.


The memories I had with Isaiah go back to high school. From our own immaturity spreading into some funny group conversations during lunch, to topics of interest that would feel chaotic— mainly from him. I say that because one of the main things I’ve noticed about Isaiah was that he was quite the passionate guy when it came to things he liked or found interest in. Some of those interests were stuff we really bonded on like Pokémon, games, or anime, as silly as it seems. They were stuff we had fun on and had some competition between us where he’d come out as the winner. We had that despite things like school, college, and the passage of time with life. He was also a generous guy, giving me a gift for Christmas while we were still in community college and I only gave homemade brownies as appreciation. 

Unfortunately, I don’t have photos of us together that I own. It’s very regrettable. The only existing one from a friend is a picture from high school where my head is down while sitting on the table and he was standing on one of the seats. I’ve looked through old phones to see if I can find anything and I think I did: a few random voicemails from him back in 2016. I didn’t answer his calls due to being in the school library at the time but listening to his messages brought back nostalgia. Of those few voicemails, he would call me “big sister” in Japanese despite him being older by a few months and greet me on my birthday. It was a little embarrassing back then but it was heartwarming.

After that, I think we drifted apart until our same friend connected us back together in a group text last year. He had a question about a show and we all talked like everything was still the same. In our last conversation of that group text, I hope I at least made him laugh.

My circle of friends is small but if anything, Isaiah was part of it and I’m thankful I was friends with a  genuinely kind and funny person like him. 

I want give my condolences to his whole family. 

My sincere condolences to the Tapia family, may God give you the strength and peace to carry on with the good memories of your son Isaiah. He is resting in peace in heaven with the Lord, he will be missed.  God bless you all, we love you! Tio Vicente and Karen.

OBITUARY

Isaiah Ronaldo Tapia

February 1, 1996 – April 12, 2023

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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