Akira Diego Maynard
October 7, 2007 – January 1, 2026
Dido’s Lament
Thy hand, Belinda, darkness shades me,
On thy bosom let me rest,
More I would, but Death invades me;
Death is now a welcome guest.
When I am laid, am laid in earth, may my wrongs create
No trouble, no trouble in thy breast;
Remember me, remember me, but ah! forget my fate.
Remember me, but ah! forget my fate.
–Henry Purcell and Nahum Tate
Akira Diego Maynard, of Helena, died by suicide on New Year’s day. He was 18 years old.
Akira was born in Helena and he attended school at Rossiter, C. R. Anderson, Capital High, and Project for Alternative Learning.
In recent months, Akira was getting his own auto-detailing business up and running. He was proving himself to be a savvy, ambitious businessman. He was set to graduate high school this year.
Akira once said he was an introvert who could pretend to be an extrovert. He was smart, funny, sensitive, and sweet. He was dear and precious–kind, thoughtful, and deeply cared for. He could be naughty and mischievous at times; for those who knew him, his recent struggles were perplexing.
Akira was an enigma and an old soul. He had a smile to melt the coldest ice caps. He was easy to talk to. The tragedy is that he did not have the chance to grow into the person he was meant to be. Of course, he was devastatingly handsome.
The Japanese name Akira means “bright,” “shining,” or “sunlight and moonlight.” He was indeed a radiant beam in the lives of those lucky enough to know him.
Akira was preceded in death by his grandfather/adoptive father, Hurrell Carter, his great-grandmother Joanne Maynard and his uncle Andy Maynard and aunt Robin Maynard.
Surviving and grieving for Akira are his grandmother/adoptive mother, Polly Carter-Maynard; his birth parents, Thaddeus Maynard and Chasmin Stover; his uncles Don (Judy), David (Sharva), and Philip (Catherine) Maynard; aunt Morgan Maynard; sisters Jennae Kuehl (Charles) and Heather Carter; his many friends; and his family at Project for Alternative Learning.
Akira’s funeral will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz at 3750 N. Montana Avenue, Friday, January 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
To learn about cyber bullying, go to stopbullying.gov
The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988.
Tell your children that casual, careless, and cruel lies can kill.
Lock up your damn guns.
There’s a gofundme site set up for Akira at https://gofund.me/22c92e3fc. Money raised will go toward Akira’s funeral. If there’s a surplus of funds, it will be used to help buy Polly a new, used car.
—–
Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest—Shakespeare
A memorial service to celebrate Akira’s life will be held 4:00 p.m. Friday January 9, 2026, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A lite reception will follow in the social center of the funeral home.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
4:00 p.m.
Friday January 9, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following his Celebration of Life
Friday January 9, 2026
Social Center of the Funeral Home
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Connie Wheeler says
So,so sorry for your loss of a loved one. He’s safe in heaven now watching over all of you
Liz Jackson says
My heartfelt condolences to all who grieve this precious soul. Suicide is such a profound loss—the unanswered questions and the ripple effects are devastating to all loved ones and the community as a whole. Akira sounds like such a dear young man. I did not have the privilege of knowing him, but this touching tribute shows how much he was loved. It is very apparent this world will be a lot dimmer without his light. I firmly believe our Lord in Heaven has endless compassion and mercy for his most hurting children. I pray your family can find peace and hope in Jesus. Please be assured of my prayers for all who love Akira.
Mrs. K says
Akira was my student when he was a freshman. He was one of those quietly funny types who could make people laugh without trying. Back then he had this necklace he would sometimes wear of a Pokémon called Gengar, which is one that I liked a lot as a kid, so Akira always pops into my head whenever I see a Gengar. I’m so sorry for your loss, may you and he both find peace.
Kathy Dykstra says
Morgan, I am so sorry for this loss to your family. I send many prayers to your family for comfort and healing. Hugs to you my friend.
Sara Graveley says
To the Maynard family our sympathies for the loss of this bright star. May he continue shining in your hearts. Shame on those who bullied or hurt him to the point of no return.
Rest in paradise .
The Graveley family
Ted Polette says
My heart bleeds for you at this so very deep and devastating loss. There are no words. I’m so sorry that you have to travel down the twisting path through the wilderness of grief. Know that you have many friends and family members that love and care about you. They have the best intentions, but might be at a loss of words to convey their sympathy at this time. My precious daughter Jackie took her own life also nearly 5 yrs ago and welcomed Akira at the gates of Heaven with open arms, and showed him around. Where there is sadness, love plants a garden of memories and I hope Akira’s garden produces the most beautiful blooms! We have a place for you in our Breathe group at the hospital when you are ready, where we all “get it”.
God bless you and your family.
Patty King says
Dear Polly and the Maynard family all out thoughts and prayers go out to you for this devistating lose,Akira was a bright lite in your lives lost to soon. Cherish the memories of your life with him, he will always be there by your side, a whisper in the wind… Patty
Deb Kralicek says
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
Marilyn Kelly-Clark says
Polly and family, I am so sorry to see this sad and lovely tribute. Polly, we went to high school together, and I worked with Hurrell. He and I visited often about trying to raise kids in the current age of social media and all of the other challenges. Time does not heal, it only leads us to cope in the best way we can. I cannot imagine your loss and pain, but please know that I have Akira, you, and your family, in thought and prayer.
Jean Monroe says
Dear Polly and all of Akira’s family,
I didn’t know Akira but it sounds like he was a smart, fun, and gifted young man. I’m sorry there are so many mean bullies in the world and he had to listen to their hurtful words. My sympathy to all of you. May God give you comfort and peace. I know no words help at this time but God loves you all and will be with you during the hard and sad days and hopefully remind you of all the happy memories you have with Akira. May he rest in peace. Love you.
Margy says
Heart breaking. May Akira be held forever in God’s loving care and may his beautiful spirit continue to touch those he loved. Care, comfort and guiding angels for all those he left behind.