Community honors lives lost at fundraiser
The Cameron community came together to heal and honor the lives of three young men lost to tragic accidents last week on Saturday at Yoe Field.
A fundraising memorial football game was held in memory of Traion Smith, Desmond Williams and Danny Perez. The event raised at least $30,000 to help the families of the young men.
“We are here to honor young men who were great athletes for the Yoemen but also great people all around,” Yoe Athletic Director Tommy Brashear said during the event.
“This is a time of healing for our community,” Pastor Basilio Montez said during a prayer to open the event.
Yoemen of all ages then gathered to play the memorial football game. A balloon ceremony was held to conclude the event in memory of those lost.
Former Yoe football coach Rick Rhoades was also on hand for the event stressing that Cameron is a family and it will heal together.
“Once a Yoemen, always a Yoemen,” Rhoades said. “This has been a tragic week but it is reassuring seeing everyone come out in support of these young men and their families at this time.”
All three former Yoemen died in accidents this past week.
During the event Yoe standout and current Jacksonville Jaguar DeDe Westbrook made a donation of $10,000 each to the families of Smith and Williams in memory of his former classmates.
The Edna ISD athletic department donated to the memorial bank accounts set up for the former athletes in thanks for Cameron helping Edna out five years ago when a fire claimed five lives leading up to a playoff football game between the schools.
A Yoemen helmet passed around the stands during Friday’s Lexington-Franklin game ended up raising another $4,200 in donations.
Memorial funds have been set up for the families and donations can be made at Classic Bank or Cameron Farm & Ranch.
A memorial cornhole tournament is scheduled for noon this Saturday at Cameron Fiesta Grounds in memory of Danny Perez.
The double-elimination tourney has a $40 admission.
Kelvin Kelm, a 1983 Yoe High graduate, is also offering to donate all photos from the 2010-15 playoff rounds on a flash drive to those that want one. The flash drives are $50 each and all funds will go to the Williams, Smith, and Perez families. For information, contact Brad Vaculin at Cameron Farm & Ranch.
Williams and Smith were fishing Nov. 22 on private property in rural Milam County when the boat they were in capsized. Neither man was able to make it back to shore. The body of Smith was recovered that evening and Williams was found the next day.
Williams played football and was a basketball standout for the Yoemen.
Smith helped lead Cameron to three state titles and four state title games. He finished his career as the all time leading rusher in school history.
Perez died in a single-vehicle crash early Friday morning, Nov. 27, when the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and rolled over.