Mourning the faithful: Family, friends remember students who died Sunday

Emily Coovert
November 12, 2008
Pictures of two smiling college students sparked memories in the fellowship hall in Calvary Baptist Church Tuesday night during a service celebrating their lives.
Junior Thomas May and freshman Bradley Hall died after a car wreck Sunday when a car driven by May crossed over the grass median  of Interstate-75 near London, Ky., and was struck by a tractor-trailer, according to Kentucky State Police.
Another student, Ben Cooley, was injured in the accident and reported to be in good condition Tuesday night.
About 300 to 400 people listened, some crying and hugging, as spiritual leaders and fellow students talked about May and Hall, sharing memories about their personalities and their commitment to God.
“Tom and Bradley both have taught me about serving and faithfulness,†said Robin Prichard, Calvary Baptist Church’s minister to college students, during the service.
Loving and strong were words Casey O’Daniel, a Baptist Campus Ministry freshman focus leader, used to describe Bradley Hall as he recounted memories of Hall’s faith and humor. Choking back tears, O’Daniel described Hall as compassionate and devout.
“More than being a physical giant, Brad Hall was a spiritual giant,†O’Daniel said.
Hall had a big smile wherever he went, Evan Markert said. Markert, who attended Baptist Campus Ministry with Hall, said he was a welcome presence in the ministry.
“He was constant, he was always around,†Markert said.
Funerals for both Hall and May will be held later this week.
Hall’s funeral will be Thursday at noon at Clear Fork Baptist Church in Rockfield, Ky. May’s will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Kenwood Heights Christian Church in Louisville.
A visitation for May will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Joseph E. Ratterman & Son Funeral Home at 7336 Southside Drive in Louisville.
The sudden deaths of May and Hall were difficult to comprehend partly because both were so young, said Greg Schardein, an electrical engineering senior. May was a lot of fun to be around and always there for you, he said.
“He was just such a happy, jovial person,†Schardein said, “He spread that to everyone he was around.â€