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Deantre Reed lost his battle with cancer at only 15 years of age, before he could build his dream car. His aunt, Kisha Reed, seen here with a portrait of Deantre, launched a campaign to see his 1983 Olds Cutlass finished the way he wanted it.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Deantre `Whisper' Reed is lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The crew at Lonny Moore's Collision Repair pitched in and did the body work and the two-tone maroon-over-silver paint job on Deantre Reed' Olds. Several auto-related firms stepped up and provided additional parts for the project at either no cost or discounted cost.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Deantre Reed's mother, Nicole McCoy, says `I know he is looking down, smiling' after the completion of his dream car by local automotive experts.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The reborn Olds, a cherished memory for Deantre Reed's family, will be driven sparingly and carefully on special occasions.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The Olds Cutlass wasn't much to look at when it was rolled into the body shop to begin its transformation. Two months later, Deantre's family received the car from its builders in an emotional ceremony.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Deantre's dream began with a rough Oldsmobile Cutlass purchased from a cousin. He could see past the rust and primer to what the car could become.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The inscription across the trunk of the Olds pays tribute to the young man who knew exactly what he wanted in a car, but sadly didn't live to see it completed.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle