January 1
by Renee Derr
Hey Jesse,
I know we were never super close in school but I do have vivid memories of you being a funny class clown in Mrs. Harrison’s science class our 8th grade year and you sat behind me in 9th grade algebra being equally as goofy. Your passing hit me hard as I’ve never known anyone my age to have died. As I get older and hit different milestones in life you stay the same age and it’s not fair.
I worked for the newspaper office in Rusk as my high school job at the time of your passing. An employee for the paper had gone out to take photos of your wreck for the story they would print and had also taken photos as evidence for the law enforcement that were called out for your accident. I was asked by one of the editors if I wanted to see a photo of the accident with you in the car and I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t imagine you in that position and I’m glad I told them no and explained why that was inappropriate. I was 15, just a baby and so were you when you passed and you should still be here. I’m sad that I don’t think about you often as life goes on for me but when I do think about you it is poignant and it hits hard and I have to stop and pull out my senior year book to look at your memorial page. I’m sorry that you’re no longer here living the life you should have lived but I hope you know that you’re never forgotten.
sincerely, one of you classmates from Rusk High School.
-Renee
I know we were never super close in school but I do have vivid memories of you being a funny class clown in Mrs. Harrison’s science class our 8th grade year and you sat behind me in 9th grade algebra being equally as goofy. Your passing hit me hard as I’ve never known anyone my age to have died. As I get older and hit different milestones in life you stay the same age and it’s not fair.
I worked for the newspaper office in Rusk as my high school job at the time of your passing. An employee for the paper had gone out to take photos of your wreck for the story they would print and had also taken photos as evidence for the law enforcement that were called out for your accident. I was asked by one of the editors if I wanted to see a photo of the accident with you in the car and I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t imagine you in that position and I’m glad I told them no and explained why that was inappropriate. I was 15, just a baby and so were you when you passed and you should still be here. I’m sad that I don’t think about you often as life goes on for me but when I do think about you it is poignant and it hits hard and I have to stop and pull out my senior year book to look at your memorial page. I’m sorry that you’re no longer here living the life you should have lived but I hope you know that you’re never forgotten.
sincerely, one of you classmates from Rusk High School.
-Renee