A crowd of nearly 40 people gathered Friday evening to honor the lives of two teens, Tracy Randall Deal Jr., 13, and Devin Franklin Miller, 15, who tragically lost their lives in an all-terrain vehicle accident in late July.
A candlelight vigil was held in memory of the teens in the sanctuary of Portal’s First Baptist Church. The Rev. Donald Berry, pastor of the church, presided over the service.
Family, friends, and other community members looked on as slide show presentations captured the boys’ finest moments and showcased the qualities and traits that made them unique.
Deal's mother, Angela Deal, sat in silence with her youngest son Zachary, 7. Tracy’s favorite shirt sat neatly folded in her lap.
“I’m amazed at the outpouring of support,” she said. “I never knew (Tracy) had touched so many lives.”
Ruby Gall, Devin’s aunt, also attended the vigil.
“I am impressed with this group of teenagers, and with the incredible support we have received from the community,” she said.
Both Deal and Miller attended Portal Middle & High School, where they were preparing to enter the eighth and tenth grades, respectively. According to family members, the boys were avid outdoorsmen, often spending the majority of their time climbing trees and riding their four-wheelers.
“From the day they met the boys filled a void inside one another that no one or nothing else could fill," said Deal.
"And even though they're gone from us now," Gall added, "they are still together."
Barbara Mills, who coordinated the event, said she was approached by several students last week, who felt that a memorial service would help the community achieve closure after their friends’ shocking deaths.
“I was honored that they asked me to help,”she said. “I think this will help them cope better as they get ready to go back (to school).”
A candlelight vigil was held in memory of the teens in the sanctuary of Portal’s First Baptist Church. The Rev. Donald Berry, pastor of the church, presided over the service.
Family, friends, and other community members looked on as slide show presentations captured the boys’ finest moments and showcased the qualities and traits that made them unique.
Deal's mother, Angela Deal, sat in silence with her youngest son Zachary, 7. Tracy’s favorite shirt sat neatly folded in her lap.
“I’m amazed at the outpouring of support,” she said. “I never knew (Tracy) had touched so many lives.”
Ruby Gall, Devin’s aunt, also attended the vigil.
“I am impressed with this group of teenagers, and with the incredible support we have received from the community,” she said.
Both Deal and Miller attended Portal Middle & High School, where they were preparing to enter the eighth and tenth grades, respectively. According to family members, the boys were avid outdoorsmen, often spending the majority of their time climbing trees and riding their four-wheelers.
“From the day they met the boys filled a void inside one another that no one or nothing else could fill," said Deal.
"And even though they're gone from us now," Gall added, "they are still together."
Barbara Mills, who coordinated the event, said she was approached by several students last week, who felt that a memorial service would help the community achieve closure after their friends’ shocking deaths.
“I was honored that they asked me to help,”she said. “I think this will help them cope better as they get ready to go back (to school).”