Editor’s note: The boy’s name is not being released in this story per a request for privacy from the family.
A gathering was held June 24 for a 14-year-old Tahoma Junior High student who died Tuesday, June 23, after being underwater in Lake Wilderness for about 40 minutes.
His friends, classmates and teachers shared stories about him and the impact he had on their lives at the New Community Church gathering.
The teen was described as “always positive” and having an innate ability to make people smile and laugh.
A few of his peers reminded those in attendance to always be thankful for what you have, because “it can be all gone in a second.”
The teen’s sister, whose name will not be released, described her brother as “joyful” and “optimistic” in an email to The Reporter.
She said, “On behalf of my family I would like to thank all of the amazing people that risked their lives to save my brother’s life. You were all very courageous and selfless when my brother needed you the most and we can’t thank you enough. My brother was an optimistic and very joyful person. He always found a way to brighten anyone’s heart and brought a proud smile to everyone’s face. He lived life full of excitement and never backed down to the harder things in life. He was truly brave until the very end. I never knew how many lives he touched while he was here until I heard the overwhelming stories. I know that we’ve all suffered from this loss but we should continue to remember those wonderful stories. In the words of my brother ‘C’mon man, cheer up!’ Let’s continue to stay strong and positive for the boy that never ever gave up on us.”
Shortly after the teen, who attended Tahoma Junior High School, died, a GoFundMe page was started by a friend of the family to help with medical and funeral expenses. Earlier this week, the total was more than $10,000 raised by 171 people.
Anyone interested in sending a card to the family can email the family spokesperson at dreynide@yahoo.com.
Reaching out
Because school is not in session, teens who may be struggling with the loss of their friend won’t have access to school counselors and resources to get help and start the grieving process.
In lieu of that resource, teens and other members of the community can call New Community Church at 425-432-1359 if they need to talk to someone. Bill Borland, one of the pastors at the church, said they have a licensed counselor on staff and access to other counselors outside of the church in case anyone needs to be referred.
A public memorial service will be held for the teen from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 6 at New Community Church, 21401 244th Ave SE, Maple Valley.
Tragedy
On June 23, the teen was with a group of friends swimming near a private beach on the East side of the lake when he went under, according to a release from Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety.
An off-duty Kent police officer, who was nearby with his family, called 911 immediately and then jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the teen.
Dive teams from the Renton Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office arrived and pulled the teen out of the water, approximately 40 minutes after he had gone under.
Once he was out of the water, paramedics were able to get a heartbeat after CPR was performed.
The teen was then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center where he later died due to anoxic encephalopathy, or lack of oxygen to the brain.
