Edmond North High School senior remembered by family and friends
EDMOND — Friends and family are finding ways to honor the life and memory of a 17-year-old Edmond North High School senior who died Friday following a motorcycle accident.
Gavin Black loved ramen and was a member of the Edmond North Air Force Junior ROTC, according to Brandy Wallace, a family friend who spoke on behalf of his loved ones. She described him as "your typical man's man."
"He loved cars, he loved hot rods, he loved hunting with his dad. He loved his motorcycle. He loved a really good joke," she said. "He was a kind, goofy guy who always made people laugh."
A fundraiser for the family, created by Tami Tatum Bryant, whose daughter was a friend of Black, had already exceeded it's initial $5,000 goal as of Monday and been raised to $10,000 to help Black's family with funeral expenses.
Wallace confirmed that Black's family would bury him in Idaho, where they are originally from, and are planning a memorial in the Oklahoma City area for local friends and family.
"He was a true light in every room," Wallace said. "He was loved in every community."
Jennifer Butler taught Black at Edmond North in both his freshman and junior years. She described him on the fundraiser's page as "mischievous," saying he would be "sorely missed and always loved."
"Gavin was an easygoing kid who always had a smile and a laugh for you. He loved current events as well. He was an all-around great kid," she said in an interview Monday.
The school district issued a statement regarding Black's death:
"Edmond Public Schools is heartbroken to learn of the untimely death of an Edmond North student from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident Thursday morning. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his friends and family at this unimaginable time. As an organization that works each day toward the well-being of youth, we are profoundly saddened when the life of one of our own is cut short."
Black's family is coping "as best as they can," Wallace said, and they want "prayers and peace." She said losing a child is devastating, a feeling many are experiencing with Black's untimely loss.
"You just think it's too soon," Wallace said. "He will be missed beyond measure."
Black was riding his motorcycle south on Kelly Avenue near Covell Road shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday when he collided with a northbound minivan making a left turn into the Lowe's parking lot, according to Edmond police. He was taken to OU Health ‒ University of Oklahoma Medical Center in critical condition and immediately taken into surgery, officials said.
No other injuries were reported in the crash. The driver of the minivan was interviewed and released at the scene, police said.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Edmond North senior remembered by loved ones as great, funny kid
