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Friends, family celebrate the life of Lloyd Chavez

The 18-year-old Cherokee Trail High School student was shot in front of his home during a botched robbery.

DENVER — Of all the places to have a memorial service, the family of Lloyd Chavez IV felt the only proper place was a rugby field.

"I'm Lloyd's Uncle Matt," he said to the crowd gathered at Cook Park in Denver. "He was one of the greatest kids and men I ever met."

His family called him "Little Lloyd" and he was a star rugby player born into a family with generations involved in the local rugby community.

"I'm his Uncle Bill," he said to the crowd. "I'll never forget him walking through those doors with that goofy little smile."

The Cherokee Trail High School senior was killed on May 8 when investigators say four teenagers plotted to rob Lloyd. When the robbery went wrong, Arapahoe County Sheriff's deputies said Lloyd was shot in the chest in front of his own home. All four teens are charged as adults with murder.

"I'm Kathy, Lloyd's mom," she said to the crowd. "My son was a comedian. He truly was a great person and all of you being here shows that."

Tyler Dorrance said he's been friends with Lloyd since they were little kids.

"Growing up with him is the greatest gift I could ever have asked for," Dorrance told the crowd.

Now, Dorrance said it's his turn to give a gift back.

"I promised him that I would continue on my journey and goal into joining the U.S. Army and I would do it for Lloyd," Dorrance said.

Family members said Little Lloyd was known for giving to others before thinking of himself. He was supposed to graduate from high school on May 23.

"I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for him," Dorrance said. "I just wanted to thank him."

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