ARUNDEL, Maine —

A Maine man is carrying on a tradition his late son loved: being thankful for what you have and giving back to others.

Donald Oakes, 58, of Arundel, lost his son, Jameson, in May 2024. Oakes said he and his son started hunting and fishing together when Jameson was just 3 years old.

"Jameson was just genuinely beautiful. Never met anyone like him, and not just because he was my son, just because he cared about people. He was 22 years old when he committed suicide," Oakes said. "I missed something, I feel, and I will feel guilty the rest of my life."

This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

"I said I got two choices – lay down and die or

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