This week was a tough one for the local community. One of this city's finest young men was tragically taken in a terrible car accident this past week. Brandon Curtis, a member of our ward, was just 18 years old and just about to begin his senior year. As the Chartered Organization Rep for our scout troop I was able to get to know him just a little as he was working to get his Eagle rank. He was an exemplar young man, the kind you hope your own boys will emulate. His family is exceptional.
Marie and I have known his parents, Jesse and Diane, since we first bought our home in Springville. They have always been salt-of-the-earth people; an example of love of family, and devotion to the gospel to everyone they meet. Due to unfortunate circumstances the family, of necessity, has been living with Jesse's parents for the past couple years. More recently, Jesse ended up in the hospital for some time, close to death. Brandon and his sister Shanae managed things at home while their mom split time between work and the hospital until their dad recovered. It has been a rough few years for a great family.
Their oldest son, Brandon, was as fine a young man as you could know. Everyone who knew him loved him. He was/is idolized by his younger siblings and a leader in the high school's football and wrestling programs.
You can read his obituary here.
The entire community has come together to help this family. You can't drive down Main Street without seeing numerous marquis and signs expressing love and support for the family. Several local business have have taken up the cause by donating a days proceeds to the family, or donating other resources to help out. It has been amazing.
This past Tuesday, just following football practice, Brandon and three other boys were fooling around in one of the boys' jeep, apparently doing donuts in the parking lot. The jeep rolled, and all the boys were ejected; three were barely injured, Brandon was crushed by the jeep. He ended up in a coma with severe brain trauma. On Wednesday afternoon, after tests showed zero brain activity, the parents had him removed from life support.
I share all that so I can share the story that was told today in Elders Quorum.
On Wednesday morning President Peterson, our Elders Quorum president, went to the hospital to see what he could do for the family. Upon arriving, Jesse, Brandon's father grabbed Pres. Peterson and took him to see another boy in the hospital. Jesse asked if he, Pres. Peterson, would assist him and the boy's father in giving the boy a blessing. The boy was the driver of the jeep. The driver's father anointed. Brandon's father sealed and blessed. That is the kind of people the Curtis's are. I hope you will all remember them in your prayers.
Brandon will be missed by all.
