Worker fatally injured in fall remembered for selflessness to the end

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – During his 31 years of service, Cody Trask earned a solid reputation as an example of selflessness and hard work. He spent his final day doing a job he loved.

On August 30, Trask was working for a professional tree-cutting service when a branch he was tied to brokeTrask fell about 20 feet onto property in northern Sedgwick County near North 77th Street and Broadway.

He died in a Wichita hospital, a shock to his family and many friends who loved him.

Trask’s older sister, Nicole Trask, said Cody’s career in lawn care and landscaping included about eight years of professional tree removal.

“He really loved going up and removing trees,” Nicole said.

She remembers her brother enjoying climbing trees and sending her photos and videos of these unique aerial perspectives.

On a GoFundMe Page Dedicated to helping Cody’s family pay for medical and funeral expenses, Nicole described what happened to her brother as “a horrible accident.”

“He knew what he was doing,” Nicole said of Cody’s tree-cutting experience.

Cody lived in Cheney and has lived in Kansas for about 14 years. Nicole described her brother as “a hardworking man,” there for his family and the many friends he made during his decade and a half in the Sunflower State after moving from Colorado as a teenager.

“He did everything he could for everybody. He didn’t expect anything in return,” Nicole said. “If you needed him and you called him, he was there.”

That selflessness continued after Cody died. Nicole said her brother was an organ donor and, in a final act of generosity, saved three lives with his donated kidneys and liver. Nicole said that after his death, Cody also gave two people the gift of sight.

The final gifts summed up who Cody was, his sister said.

“He was very selfless. He would do things and never say anything about it,” Nicole said. “He knew what had to be done and he did it. He didn’t want a ‘thank you,’ he didn’t want a refund. He just did it for people; for his loved ones, for his family and friends. He just did it.”

A memorial service to honor Cody’s memory and celebrate his life is planned for October 26. Amidst the preparations for the gathering, Nicole is remembering the time she spent with her brother and all that made him special, including his love of the outdoors and learning and interacting with animals of all kinds.

“He was the Steve Irwin of his day,” Nicole said.

Nicole said the evidence of how many lives her brother touched comes with an outpouring of support.

“Our family really appreciates the love and support that everyone has given him, they really do,” she said. “It’s a very difficult time and it’s so heartwarming to see how many people really appreciate and love him. He was a good man.”

Nicole said the tragedy sends a message she hopes others will take to heart.

“If I had to convey a message, it would be to never leave your loved ones without saying goodbye and telling them that you love them, because you never know when your time will come. Sometimes it is very, very unexpected,” she said.