ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A community came together in love and faith after the loss of members of two loving families.
Ryan and Laura Van Epps, their two sons James Ryan (JR), 12, and Harrison, 10, and Laura's father, Roger Beggs, were killed in a small plane crash a little more than a week ago. Their sudden death happened after the family visited Cooperstown, New York, for a baseball tournament their oldest, JR, was playing in.
Tuesday night, the kids' school, King's Ridge Christian School, held a private vigil to celebrate their lives before the family's funeral later this week. Members of the family were in attendance and thanked the school and community for their support during this difficult and unexpected time.
"There has been a deep grief. We have a lot of people who have been deeply hurt," Brian Simmons, King's Ridge Christian School's Interim Head, said.
The family's mark on the community is felt deeply. JR and Harrison are both students at the school. The oldest is a rising 7th grader, while the youngest is headed to 5th grade.
Parents and students in the community came together to remember them on Tuesday. Many were wearing shirts that said, "Long Live JR." The 12-year-old was a rising star athlete who played on several of the school's teams.
"None of us expected to be here in the middle of the Summer or that we would be here on a Tuesday night in July mourning the loss of an entire family," Simmons said.
Simmons leads the group and Van Epps and Beggs families in prayer as they navigate the unthinkable.
"I don't know how one prepares for that other than our faith in Jesus Christ," Simmons said.
The family of 5 was taken in an instant on June 30 when a single-engine Piper Malibu they took off in after being at a baseball tournament crashed shortly after takeoff.
"Who would expect that a family of four and a grandfather would be struck in such a tragedy so quickly. We immediately all went to prayer. We didn't see know details when we heard the news. We hadn't seen the report about what happened yet. We just immediately went to prayer," Simmons said.
As families hugged and embraced Tuesday, JR and Harrison's school community stands committed to honoring the Van Epps and Geggs families.
"I saw row after row of children in the grades with the boys and our senior leaders stepping up to help this community that's hurting. Just hearing the prayers and stories that were told tonight, the boys were well loved. The family was very involved and they've touched a lot of lives," Simmons said.
Many people who attended the vigil will attend the family's funeral on Friday. An obituary for all five says it will be held at Roswell United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Those who loved the families are invited.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. Early reports show the plane crashed near Sydney, New York, shortly after taking off at 1:40 p.m. The flight was only tracked for 12 minutes before the crash. The NTSB said there was storm activity on the family's route out of the state.