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How family mourns loss of their child

 
By Bryan Painter | Published: March 23, 2008    Comment on this article Leave a comment

GUTHRIE — We hear about it unfortunately way too often — a child dies.

Sometimes it's the result of a crime, sometimes an accident, sometimes an illness, sometimes suicide.

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The Blount family when Tyler Blount, front left, was 12 years old. Tyler was killed at age 17 in a saddle bronc riding accident.
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Regardless, it's hard to take.

When I see these stories I often think of one young man — Tyler Blount.

He was so full of life when I met him. I couldn't have comprehended him losing his life so quickly.

He would have been 25 last Wednesday. I'm so sorry I have to use those words "would have been.” And I'm so sorry so many of you have to do the same when speaking of a child, family member or friend.

On a June night in 2000 in Enid, Tyler Blount whipped under a saddle bronc horse at the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association Finals. He was kicked in the head and suffered fatal injuries.

I admitted to his parents, Pat and Vicki Blount — as I have to other parents who have suffered the horrible loss of a child — that I hope I never go through what they've experienced. Does this anger them? No, it's honest. Each time, a parent has replied something to the effect of "I hope you never do either.”

However, the reason I do these stories is to remind us of who the person was in life and why he or she should be missed and not forgotten. But I also tell the stories shared by family and friends in hopes the stories will help others who have or will suffer such a loss.

That's what this column is about.

It's not to say that the way Pat and Vicki Blount of Guthrie have gone about mourning is the only way or the perfect way. It's their way.

I met the Blounts weeks before the tragic ride and was at the rodeo where Tyler was injured and at the hospital where he died.

I knew him for a short time but have thought about him for years.

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Related Topics: Sports, Culture and Lifestyle, Holidays, Rodeo



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