Question:
I found out this morning at school that one of my adult leaders was killed in a car accident last night. He was married and had two young children, and was a spanish teacher at a middle school.
So pelase pray for me and the rest of my youth group, his family, and his students. It's going to affect a lot of people.
Answer:
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Praying.
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I'm really sorry Im praying
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Man thats terrible, I'll get my class of 380 to pray for the family in the morning, after saying one right now .
Answer:
Thank you so much. Here's an article about it in the newspaper if you're interested.
Winterville teacher killed in crash
By Erin Rickert, The Daily Reflector
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The death of a well-known Winterville teacher in a Tuesday car wreck was felt across the community Wednesday as residents remembered a man dedicated to helping others.
Matthew David Patton, 32, was a father, husband, Covenant United Methodist Church member, local teacher and coach at A.G. Cox Middle School. He had a gift for relating to others that allowed him to touch many lives, longtime friend Bert Snyder said.
"He was one of the most selfless people I knew," Snyder said as he recalled fond memories of Patton on Wednesday. "He made such an impact. If somebody had a problem, he knew how to help."
Tuesday, nine miles east of Winterville, about 9:35 p.m., Patton was killed in a single-vehicle wreck, Sgt. K.P. Pitts with the State Highway Patrol said.
Friends said Patton was just leaving Covenant United Methodist Church, heading the few miles to his home on Ragland Road.
He had just turned on Worthington Road and was traveling west about 85 mph when he lost control of his 2002 Saturn, causing him to run off the right side of the road, Pitts said. The road's speed limit was 55 mph speed signs.
Patton's vehicle struck a bridge rail, Pitts said, propelling it to the other side of a small creek where it came to rest on the embankment.
Patton was not wearing a seat belt and was traveling alone at the time of the collision, Pitts said. Pitts said Patton was reported to have died at the scene.
Snyder was one of many young people who benefited from Patton's ability to help.
A leader at his church, Snyder said, Patton was always taking people under his wing who were going down the wrong path – changing the lives of numerous youths in the community.
Nearly nine years ago, Snyder was one of these people.
"I was headed down a bad path, but Matt noticed that," Snyder, now 21, said. "He totally changed my life around. I would not have been the same person if it weren't for him. He saved so many kids lives."
Wednesday afternoon, Patton was remembered during the A.G. Cox volleyball game against Wellcome Middle School, which was dedicated in Patton's honor and ended in a win. A crisis response team was at A.G. Cox assisting those having difficulty with the loss, said Heather Mayo, a spokeswoman with Pitt County Schools.
Several members of the crisis team are expected to continue counseling at the school today.
Patton, a Spanish teacher, had been with Pitt County Schools since the 1997-98 school year. He also worked as a middle school soccer coach.
Friends said Patton had a passion for surfing and in his spare time would sometimes take as many as 17 people he was mentoring on surfing trips.
"He took kids in the community and talked and ministered to them while there," Snyder said of the trips. "He was always a role model and a strong Christian."
Patton loved surfing so much that he set up a Web link, under his name, on A.G. Cox's Web site staff directory to a live image of the surf at Carolina Beach.
"He was the best," Snyder said. "He was always there for me, his family and anyone else who needed it."
Snyder said Patton leaves behind his wife, Denise, and daughters Brianna, 6, and Curren, 5.
On Wednesday, Snyder said Patton and his passion for mentoring will not soon be forgotten by the many people he touched with kindness.
"I have learned from this faith," Snyder said.
"He was committed to teaching people about Jesus, and that's how I have peace right now. I know he is in heaven."
Answer:
Man, I'm praying for you and his family. What a terrible loss.
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Wow, thats terrible. I'll definately pray.
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Thanks guys. I'll be going to his funeral tomorrow morning. I aprreciate your prayers, and I'm sure his family appreciates it too.
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i'm sorry,well i'll pray for you.
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ill be praying for yall and his family