April 21, 2012
-
Arrangements For Kevin
TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM
Kevin will be buried up in Ohio with his biological father’s family since he was close to both his paternal grandparents and his father. I understand they have a family plot. His father is one of the Ohio Yoder’s. The wake will be on Tuesday at Dundee Church of God, 8027 State Route 516 NW, Dundee, OH. Phone: 330-852-2045. He will be buried on Wednesday.
Tara’s father has driven up from Florida and will be driving her and her other teenage son to Ohio. The arrangements for Kevin to be embalmed for the trip were finalized today. The Marines will be giving his older brother compassionate leave so he will be home for the funeral. Tara said it took the Red Cross 7 hours to verify the death and report back to the Marines and she found it very frustrating but it’s okay now.
The outpouring of love and support has been incredible from the students at Kevin’s high school and even the coaches from his middle school who found him a great kid. Tonight is the high school prom and they are holding a candlelight vigil and prayer vigil. Several students got onto the program yesterday while baseball was being played at the high school (as soon as they got the news) and printed up T-shirts for Kevin and the others injured in the accident. They held a vigil at 1am!
Teachers and students alike have been showing up at Tara’s house. They aren’t lacking for food or a shoulder to cry on. Tara told me today that her minister had made it to the (correction here) Memphis hospital in time to say prayers for Kevin as he left to be with the angels. One of Kevin’s classmates was there, also. It’s how it got tweeted and the news went through the school like wildfire. His classmate held one of Kevin’s hands as he left this life to be one of the newest angels and comfort his family he left behind.
Kevin had a bad injury to the back of his head. He didn’t suffer they say and I certainly hope that was true. The coach’s daughter, 22, who was traveling with them, has had two surgeries already and will need one more before they can move her down here.
There will be a memorial service held here locally for Kevin on Friday of next week. They decided they had to have one just because of all the responses on twitter and facebook. The kids and our family need that closure.
In the meantime, say a prayer for Tara and her children. Their row is the hardest to hoe and will be for a long time to come. I’m particularly worried about the #3 son who will not only be lost without his brother but I think he will feel guilty as a survivor. Chance, the baby, will be staying behind with his father, Tonto, and not going to Ohio because he has no clue what is going on. Neither does poor Chewlee. All she (and he) sees are a bunch of people crying and sad all the time.
Love you all. Thank you for your prayers and wishes for our family during this sad time. We all appreciate it.
