Kyle Douglas Fujihara Melby, of Bainbridge Island, died on March 26 at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. He was 12.

He was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle on Dec. 6, 1996 with Down Syndrome and spent his happy childhood surrounded by friends and family on Bainbridge.

Kyle was a fifth grader at Sakai Intermediate School and spent his early years at Ordway Elementary School. He loved school and was always excited to get on the bus and go hang with his friends. He was proud of his academic accomplishments and thrived under the nurturing guidance of his many teachers, aides and fellow students.

Kyle loved getting kisses from his dogs, Ellie and Golie; to scare his little brother by flipping off the lights or chasing him with a Chucky doll; to watch people and animals do crazy things on AFV; to scream out raccoon sightings every morning, play his music too loud, snoop around on YouTube for rollercoaster videos, announce every ship passing our house, play with his cars, watch Scooby Doo, climb on playground equipment, roughhouse with his dad and go on adventures with his mom.

Always quick to give a high-five and a smile, Kyle will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

He is survived by his dad, Doug Melby, mom Tammy Fujihara Melby and brother Mitchell Melby, all of Bainbridge Island; grandparents Roger and Donna Jean Melby of Fircrest, Wash.; grandmother Uta Fujihara of Kennewick; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Kyle’s life is planned for 1 p.m. April. 19 at Sakai. Please leave your memories of Kyle on his blog at www.kylemelby.com.