BELLVILLE — It’s clear. Clear Fork High School senior, Grant Reed will be missed.
On Tuesday, the community honored Reed, who passed away Sunday after his battle against medulloblastoma (a type of tumor), by wearing gray, the color for brain cancer awareness.
Nearly every teacher and student wore gray at Clear Fork Local School District’s elementary building. The same was true at the high school, where students filled the gym’s home section for a photo, according to event organizer and classmate’s parent, Ali Carter. Others took to social media, where they posted pictures of themselves in gray. Even Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus participated.
“It felt like there was so much support for the Reed family. There’s definitely over 100 photos so far, they’re still pouring in,” Carter said Tuesday evening.
She received photos from Richland County, across Ohio and some from other states. She intends to turn the images into a collage for Reed’s family.
The community has rallied around Reed since 2012 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Classmates have often worn gray on designated days. In December more than 50 members of the Clear Fork Valley community gathered for a prayer vigil.
Reed, an avid Ohio State football fan, became nationally known when he nicknamed his cancer Michigan, which prompted a visit from former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. Former University of Michigan football coach Brady Hoke also shared his support, saying he hoped Reed would win this battle with Michigan, too.
The 18-year-old passed away Sunday morning with his parents, Troy and Denise and his brother, Collin by his side.
“He won his final victory over M*CH*G*N because it can never hurt him again,” Troy Reed wrote in a Facebook post.
The organizer of “Wear Gray Day,” Carter had come to to know Grant Reed while photographing Clear Fork High School football games.
“He was always a great guy to be around. He was always happy despite everything, and everyone loved him so much,” she said.
She would often stop to give him a hug before the games, and later when walking by they’d exchange high fives.
Yesterday’s “Wear Gray Day” was meant to be held on Monday, Feb. 11 at the school, but when school was closed for inclement weather, the day was rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Carter hopes more can be arranged in the future.
“I can totally see us doing this again, picking a random day and having this much of a showing,” she said.
Visitation for Grant Reed will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Storyside Church, 541 St. Rt. 97 West in Bellville, where funeral services will also be held at 11 a.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Chance For Hope Foundation, may be made through the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home.
