Dear editor, the Times,

On April 24, 2009, Mark Keeley perished in a plane accident behind the football field of John Essex High School.

As the plane lay burning in the grass, the coach and several students ran out to the plane with fire extinguishers to try and save him.

Those brave people risked their lives amid burning aviation fuel, doing what not many people would, and in the face of horror and death became unsung heroes.

As the surviving family, we commend everyone who did everything possible to save the life of a man they didn’t even know.

When we held service Wednesday, April 29, the students, teachers and coach came to pay their respects to the family and friends of the deceased.

We cannot even begin to tell you how much it fills our hearts with love and appreciation for all their kind words, thoughts and prayers.

They brought flowers and poems and completely melted all our hearts.

We want everyone who reads this to know that we commend and respect all of whom were involved. A very deep thank you to coach Rodney Dixon, Korey Jones, Letrell Griffen, Mickeil Jowers, Randal Ward, Travis Burrell, Lavaugn Terry, Keonta Alvis, Decarlos Johnson, Devontae Richardson, Demetrius Montgomery, Antonio Bennett, Wayne Bonner, Zachary Fluker, Travoris Merriweather and Sha’Kema Jones for her beautiful poem that she wrote for the service.

You will all forever be considered members of our extended family.

Also, we would like to thank the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office, the Demopolis Police Department and the Demopolis Fire and Rescue Department.

A special thanks to Bobby Kidd for all he’s done for us. Our hearts are with you guys. Thanks for everything you did.

With utmost respect,

James, Michael, Racheal, Katy, Andrew and Monica (the Keeleys)