The Lubbock community is rallying behind a local family after they suffered the loss of their 12-year-old son in an accident the day after Christmas.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser page, on Dec. 26, Vance Witherspoon was riding an ATV when he was in an accident that he did not survive.
Vance’s dad, Brock Witherspoon, described him as a “special kid” who had an open and friendly personality and who was “publicly proclaimed Christian.”
“He was the best son any parent could hope for,” Brock said in a public post on social media.
According to his father, Vance was also an avid Texas Tech Red Raider fan, having just seen the football team win the Big 12 Conference Championship in Arlington a few weeks ago with his father and family.
“He loved the Red Raiders,” Brock said. “One of the last memories of him that sticks out to me is us watching the basketball game against Duke.”
Lubbock ISD sent an email over the weekend to families at Hutchinson Middle School, where Vance had been in the 7th grade, as well as Roscoe Wilson Elementary, the school he previously attended.
The email stated school leaders were heartbroken by the loss, describing Vance as a beloved and talented student.
“A loss like this can result in a wide range of emotions in both adults and children as they process their feelings,” the statement continues. “Lubbock ISD crisis counselors will be available to our students when they return to campus on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Resources will also be available to teachers and staff when they return to their campuses on Monday, Jan. 5.”
According to the family, a visitation for family and friends will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, at Combest Funeral Home on Broadway, located at 2210 Broadway.
The funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Monterey Baptist Church, located at 3601 50th St.
Individuals can also donate to the GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-vance-witherspoons-funeral-expenses, which has raised 86% of its goal as of Dec. 29.
Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock schools, community rally behind family who lost 12-year-old son
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
