So sad....

Rev. Brian Allen Hamrick, 32
FORT MYERS - Reverend Brian Allen Hamrick, passed away Friday, April 24, 2009, at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers, after a brief illness. He was 32. He was born on Dec. 14, 1976, in Richmond, Va., the son of Janet and Wayne Hamrick. Brian graduated from Monacan High School in 1995, James Madison University in 1999 and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2002. He married Katherine Smithley of Newport News, Virginia, on July 10, 1999. He served as pastor of Fairfields Baptist Church in Burgess, Va., from 2002 to 2006. He then answered a call to become pastor of First Baptist Church of Clewiston, where he served from 2006 until the time of his death. He was a member of the Administrative Committee of the Big Lake Baptist Association and a member of the Nominating Committee of the Florida Baptist Convention. Brian was a devoted husband to his wife, Katherine, and loving father to his two sons, Nathan and Luke. He is also survived by his parents, Janet and Wayne Hamrick of Powhatan, Va.; his brother, Mark (wife, Alison) of Richmond, Va.; mother-in-law, June Smithley of Newport News, Va.; and brother-in-law, Jon Smithley (wife, Amie) of Pinckneyville, Ill. Uncle Brian is also survived by five nieces and nephews. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles and cousins. A funeral service was held at First Baptist Church of Clewiston on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, officiated by Associate Pastor Joshua Vincent, Worship Pastor Dr. Todd Buck and Reverend Brian Robertson. Funeral Services will be at Huguenot Road Baptist Church, 10525 Huguenot Rd., Richmond, Va., Friday, May 1, at 2 p.m. with Rev Joshua Vincent, Rev Brian Robetson and Rev Steve Tyler officiating. Graveside Services will be Saturday May 2, at 11 a.m. in Peninsula Memorial Park, New Port News, Va., with Rev Joshua Vincent and Rev Jon Smithley officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a college scholarship fund for Nathan and Luke in memory of their father. Donations may be sent in care of First Baptist Church of Clewiston, 102 Ventura Avenue, Clewiston, Florida 33440. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - Clewiston.

I knew Brian, or "Ham" as we called him, through the BSU at JMU. He was such a caring and thoughtful person, and a lot of fun to hang out with. We served together as president and vice president of the BSU. Rick and I attended Brian and Katherine's wedding. His kids are close in age to ours. This is such a shock and a tragedy, but we know Brian is with Jesus.