KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Less than a week after a local college student drowned in a private pond in Kirksville. Truman State University held a memorial service Wednesday night on the quad for 19-year-old Curtis Rhodes from St. Louis.
Hundreds of people came out to celebrate the short life of Truman Sate University freshman Curtis Rhodes. Rhodes was a computer science major at Truman.
He was attending his first Campus Crusade for Christ event at the Foley residence on Highway P just outside of Kirksville Friday night. Students were taking turns jumping off a dock and swimming in the 15 feet deep pond. Rhodes was not a swimmer and never resurfaced after jumping into the pond.
A call came in to police around 8:19 p.m. Friday, and Rhodes’ body was discovered just before 9:00 that night.
But Wednesday night fellow students, friends, faculty, advisors, and community members gathered to celebrate the life of this young, bright, and always smiling young man.
Rose McCray met Rhodes when she was set up on a blind date to attend his prom last May.
“He always liked to try new things. I taught him how to fly a kite and he taught me how to play video games,” said McCray.
Bertha Thomas describes her first impression of Rhodes when he toured Truman as a high school senior.
“And I thought to myself, Keep an eye on Curtis Rhodes because he has a bright future,” said Assistant Dean of Multicultural Affairs Bertha Thomas.
“I know that I’ll miss him even though I know I’ll see him again, I’ll still miss him,” said Madeleine Pride.
“He will be there for those people that go to Heaven,” said Lillian Pride.
“To be around Curtis was to feel loved because when he loved you, he really loved you,” said Hannah Lantz.
Those that Rhodes touched said he won’t be forgotten and his memory will live on.
“This world would be a little bit more of a friendly place I mean it’d be a little more understanding, a little more kind, a little more acceptable because that’s what he was,” said Rhodes’ roommate Michael Polwort.
“And in many ways I envision Curtis to be like that kite. Climbing higher and higher into the sky, swathed in the beauty of sunset clouds flying free and ascending ever higher into the heavens until he meets the glorious face of God,” said McCray.
“Tonight there is darkness and there are tears, but we both, long standing and newer Truman friends should hold onto the promise that in the future when the pain begins to fade, there will be light. He touched my life, and I can tell by being here he has enriched in his short time at Truman, our community,” said Thomas.
Preliminary autopsy results revealed the cause of death was drowning.
Truman State University is collecting monetary donations to help the Rhodes’ family. If you’re interested in helping the family you can contact the student affairs office at Truman at 785-4111 or stop by the Student Union Building on the Truman State University campus.
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