Nearly 2,000 people gathered in the C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum Saturday to remember the Oxford couples who died in a plane crash nearly one week ago.
(Photo by: Marlee Crawford)
The arena is normally a place for celebrating victories, but Saturday morning’s gathering was different.
The vigil was held for Dr. Jason and Lea Farese, Dr. Austin and Angie Poole and Dr. Michael and Kim Perry, who were on their way back from a dental conference in Florida when their plane started having engine trouble Sunday, Aug. 13. The plane downed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, killing all of its passengers.
The crash left 11 children without parents.
Friends of the families and strangers alike filled the coliseum. Two little league baseball teams came to mourn the coach they lost. Family members passed in front of the crowds, many carrying tissues in their hands.
Dr. Allison Ross, of Ross Family Dental Clinic, said her office is deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected death within the tight-knit dental community.
“(The couples) were all wonderful clinicians and will be greatly missed by all of their dental colleagues, staff, patients and the Oxford community as a whole,” Ross said. “All three couples were incredible parents and loved by so many.”
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- Courtesy: Our Oxford Family
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- Courtesy: Our Oxford Family
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- Courtesy: Our Oxford Family
The parents of the Farese (left), Perry (middle) and Poole (right) families were lost in a place crash Sunday, Aug. 13.
Dr. Brant Kairit, a family friend, spoke at the ceremony Saturday morning and told colorful stories of the families, how involved they were in the community and how much they loved their children.
Former Dean of Students Sparkey Reardon was asked to help along with family friend John Green and UM special events coordinator Jessica Phillips.
“The family deeply appreciated the outpouring of love and sympathy,” Reardon said.
Funeral service for the Poole couple was at North Oxford Baptist Church on Friday, August 19th. The other services will follow.
Services for the Farese couple will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 21 in Oxford-University United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m.
A visitation with a rosary for the Perry couple will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 22 at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The Perrys will be buried in Oxford and reception will be held at the Parish Center following.
“We gather to demonstrate our love,” Pastor J. D. Shaw of Grace Bible Church said in the ceremony.
Our Oxford Family Memorial Fund was set up for the orphans and can be donated to online.
