Dennis Harker's life took a drastic, unpredictable turn in 2013.
On September 29, 2013, his 28-year-old son, David Harker, went missing. David was last seen leaving a nightclub in downtown Moline.
On October 2, recovery crews found David's body near Buffalo Shores.
"There's not a day or a moment that goes by that he's not in my thoughts," said Dennis Harker, standing over his son's grave. "He was just phenomenal."
A year has passed since David went missing; Dennis often takes a break from his day to visit his son at the Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island. Emotional, Harker tries to fight back tears.
"It's hard for me when I come here," Harker said.
Since his son's disappearance, Harker has been paying it forward. On January 8, 2014, Harker established the Quad Cities Missing Persons Network, a group dedicated to helping those who have a loved one missing. The group's Facebook page has more than 12,000 likes and Harker said it has provided comfort to families during a difficult time.
"For anybody that has someone missing, it's panic time. You don't know what to do and you don't know where to go," Harker said.
This is how the Quad Cities Missing Persons Network works: When a family member believes their loved one is missing, Harker will interview the family. Next, Harker will create flyers to pass around the Quad-City area. The flyer is also posted on the Quad Cities Missing Persons Network's Facebook page.
"If I post something, we usually get between 15,000 and 20,000 shares by the end of the day," Harker said.
Harker's life is now dedicated to assisting others, and he said he encourages the Quad-City area to pay it forward.
On Tuesday, September 30, there will be a memorial service for anyone who has had a loved one go missing. The service will begin at 7 p.m. at Edgewood Baptist Church, 2704 38th Street, Rock Island.