Friends of the man killed tragically yesterday in a work zone incident are making sure the public knows about the wonderful father, son and friend they lost.
A gloomy day in Grove reflected the most of most people there today. A beloved man, 47-year-old Jarrell Gray, was killed too soon.
"Just like his mom, as he left that morning, she told him, 'be careful'," Rhonda Gower, a friend of Jarrell said.
Jarrell was an employee for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. He was supervising a brush site off SH-20, just west of Jay, when a driver coming down the road struck a parked van.
Jarrell was unfortunately in the way of the occurring crash, and the van hit him, pinning him to a trailer. His death comes at an ironic time, during a statewide work zone safety campaign.
"I really didn't believe it," Karissa Plank, a friend of Jarrell's said. "It just seemed like it wasn't true."
Gower said Jarrell was a good guy, always there for everyone. He was deeply involved in the Elk River Baptist Church in Grove. His friends said if the walls could talk, they'd tell a story of a man with a servant's heart.
"He did a lot of service in the church and he was loved by everyone," Gower said.
Plank said he was the person you go to when you need someone to talk to. "He's just understanding and doesn't judge."
Jarrell was the father to four boys, who friends said are not handling the situation well. Jarrell's kids were his world.
"You don't think it's going to happen," Plank said. "i thought we had more time."
Now, the town of Grove is left wondering how they will move on without Jarrell. But, one thing does give them comfort.
"I know he's in heaven because of who he is and his relationship with God."
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