Friends of the late Daniel Duncan will have the chance on Friday to not just remember him, but keep alive one of his passions -- music.

Those who attend the "Remembering Daniel" memorial from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Sheri's Coffee House can donate toward the Daniel Duncan Memorial Music Scholarship Fund. Through the fund, college-bound students of good character who plan to study music receive funds toward their college expenses.

This year's recipient is Angela Yingling, a Bellevue Senior High School graduate and Miami University music education major who took piano lessons with the same teacher who taught Daniel.

"When we presented the award (in May) there wasn't a dry eye in the world," said the Rev. Rob Duncan, Daniel's father.

Previous scholarship recipients were Tommy Christian, a Norwalk High School graduate and St. Paul sophomore Alex Fries.

Daniel's father remembered his son as someone who loved music and as a "strong man of character."

Daniel, a 2008 graduate of St. Paul High School, was very active in the music program: Jazz band, junior-senior choir, folk group and the spring musicals. Daniel was in the National Honor Society. His senior project was about the history of church bells in Norwalk. He attended Buckeye Boy's State in 2007, as a representative from St. Paul.

He was involved in the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir in 2007. He also performed with Cynthia Kniffin Dance Academy for five years. Daniel took piano lessons from the age of 7 to 18 with Val Bressler and won several awards and ribbons through the years.

Daniel was very active in his church youth group, Remain, and also led worship and played keyboard for Church of The King weekly services. He went on missions trips to Nicaragua, New York City and Washington D.C. to share the love of Jesus.

A newspaper carrier since age 11, Daniel earned the State Carrier of the Year award in 2003. During high school, he worked at the Reflector office in the afternoons.

Daniel was killed by a drunk driver Sept. 3, 2008 while he rode his bicycle near West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was enrolled as a freshman. He started as a political science major and the day before he was killed, Daniel decided on also majoring in music.

Last year, more than 200 people attended the memorial for the late teenager. Many of those present had also lost a child, Rob Duncan said.

"It's a club no one wants to be a part of," the pastor said.

He said he thinks of his son every day and visits Daniel's grave at Woodlawn Cemetery every day.

"A piece of my heart is there," Duncan said.

He has also visited the man who killed Daniel at least five times since the accident.

Duncan said the meetings were somewhat awkward, but "I think it's easier because he knows we've forgiven him."

Duncan will speak at Roger Lee Harrison Jr.'s parole hearing at the end of September. Duncan said he's not sure what he'll say, but he'll recommend that Harrison be granted parole.

"He's a young man and I'd like to see him have a chance at (experiencing) life," Duncan said.

For those unable to attend the memorial event, donations can be taken directly to Home Savings and Loan, dropped off at Sheri's Coffee House or mailed to P.O. Box 872, Norwalk, Ohio 44857.