Anthony Ray Alvarez Jr.

8/17/1994 - 4/17/2011

During his all-too-brief lifetime, 16-year-old Anthony Alvarez Jr. left an indelible impression on everyone he came in contact with, friends and family say.

"He was a 'yes sir, yes ma'am' type of kid," said Phillip Stokes, Anthony's football coach.

But in death, the Eleanor Roosevelt High School junior, will touch more people than he ever thought possible.

Anthony, who drowned Sunday at Huntington State Beach, had designated himself an organ donor on the California identification card he received about a year ago, his mother Araceli Alvarez said Tuesday.

Alvarez said that in a conversation with her son, he said, "Mom, when I'm gone, my organs aren't going to be any good to me. I'd rather they helped someone else."

"We're following through on his wishes," she said.

Alvarez said officials at the organ bank said that Anthony's donation likely would help 100 people.

According to Jeff David, lifeguard chief at Huntington Beach, on April 17 at 3:27 p.m. lifeguards at Tower 6 responded to a report of two swimmers in distress.

The female swimmer made it to shore but the 16-year-old male was submerged. He was recovered about 20 minutes later and was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital.

Alvarez said she held her son's hand and talked to him in the hospital after the accident.

As the hours slipped by, Anthony's heart would stop and then be started again.

Finally the family decided to let him go, Alvarez said.

He was pronounced dead about 9 p.m. with 30 friends and family members praying at his bedside.

Alvarez described her son as an all-around athlete who played youth baseball, basketball and football and was a member of the Roosevelt hip hop dance team.

In addition to his mother, Anthony is survived by his father Anthony Alvarez Sr. and brother Abel Alvarez.

Araceli Alvarez said the viewing will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 28 and the burial will be at 10 a.m. April 29.

Both services will be at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park, 11500 Arlington Ave. in Riverside.

Family friend Patty Zamora said a fundraiser will be held to help the family with hospital and funeral expenses.

At Pura Salon and Spa, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 21, half the proceeds of any threading and tanning services will go Anthony's family, said owner Veronica Zavala.

The salon is located at the Eastvale Gateway shopping center, Suite 610.

Reach Sandra Stokley at 951-368-9647 or [email protected]