TERRE HAUTE —
The unexpected death of a student has left the Terre Haute North Vigo High School community in a state of sadness and disbelief.
Word spread this weekend of the death Thursday of Tre’ Russell Fletcher, 17, who was to begin his senior year at North next month.
Just more than a week ago, Fletcher returned from a cross country team trip to Wisconsin, where coach Tom Dever said the young man showed himself to be a dedicated athlete and a top-notch individual.
“What a great kid,” Dever said Sunday. “He was always the first to practice.” Fletcher was polite, appreciative and always had a smile on his face, Dever added. “He was the kind of guy you loved to coach.”
North Vigo High School will be the location for visitation and funeral services Wednesday afternoon for the student-athlete, who also ran track, wrestled and played for the North football team.
“It’s going to be very devastating, especially when we get into track season, where we’re used to seeing Tre’,” said Mike Dason, a track coach at North and a manager of the track competitions.
Fletcher was working to be a part of a prestigious relay team on the North squad, Dason said. That was one reason the young man chose to run cross country, to improve his track performances, he said.
It may sound like a cliché, but it’s true that “nobody ever said anything bad about Tre’, never, never,” Dason said. About two weeks ago, Fletcher began to master the skills of pole vaulting and cleared 11 feet, he said. “It just clicked.”
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of the Vigo County School Corp., said Fletcher’s loss is a “tragedy” that will be felt by the entire school community.
“We consider these kids like our own children,” Tanoos said. “When we lose a member like that, we all grieve.”
Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at North Vigo. The funeral is scheduled for 4 p.m., also Wednesday.
Conducting the services at the high school will provide the space and best conditions for a large crowd, Tanoos said.
Fletcher’s Facebook page by Sunday was filled with farewell comments from friends and classmates. Most said they appreciated his ready smile, his sense of humor, his dedication to his sports and his kindness.
“You were such an amazing and caring person,” wrote one friend. “I will never forget the songs you sang. And that big smile you always had on your face. RIP.”
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
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Terre Haute North community mourns loss of student
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