I created this artwork in honor of everyone onboard and the lives that changed forever that day. I landed the plane safely to represent their arrival in heaven. One day we’ll meet again until then I will continue to follow Jesus and scatter seeds everywhere!!
Eric’s last wishes click here to watch the entire unedited video. Better grab some tissue and have some time set aside to watch it’s 38 mins long.
It’s been 15 years since that sad day when so many had to say goodbye for now to their loved ones. I can remember that night so vividly, we thought maybe Eric rented a car and could be driving back from Indiana because his commercial flight was cancelled. He did not want to fly on that little plane that’s why he flew out commercial. When we found out the plane his coworkers were on had crashed we were worried he might have got on that plane. But my dad still turned on the porch light just in case. I remember searching online and found an article about the crash but no names were released yet. After what felt like a lifetime the Coroners office called and confirmed that they had found Eric’s wallet at the crash site. It changed our lives forever!
Eric had a dream his life was cut short and made a video down in the kids toy room 4 months before he died to record his last wishes. He was an awesome dad to his four boys and one baby on the way which ended up being a little girl. My dad and his wife found the video in the safe the day after he died labeled Eric’s last wishes. There were 13 of us surrounding the laptop when we watched it for the first time. Eric was on a mission to find out everything about the Bible the last few years of his life. He was trying to help point as many souls as he could to God. We are so glad he made the recording of his thoughts to hear and see him talk and say goodbye is such a treasure. I thank God that he listened to the Holy Spirit and made that video. What a gift!!
Eric’s last wishes click here to watch the entire unedited video. Better grab some tissue and have some time set aside to watch it’s 38 mins long.
That year before he died he was trying so hard to convince me that I needed to read the Bible and get to know who Jesus is. I noticed the difference in him and the path he’d been on for a few years before he passed. He was on fire 🔥🔥🔥for God. I was not ready back then to even try to understand. In the video he left behind he said “Renae I need you to read that bible front to back many times. You will be the spiritual leader of this family.” 15 years ago I was deep in my alcoholism and his words were only seeds planted. I don’t know why it took me 10 years of wandering to finally turn around to start asking questions. Probably because I was numbing myself with alcohol. In 2017 a spiritual awakening started happening inside me. I feel like I’m starting to understand Jesus and what my purpose is here in this life. It’s very simple, to love everyone, serve one another and to share the good news to everyone. But it’s a daily challenge to stay on that path. It’s not easy to lay our own lives down and help others get through this life. But we can experience heaven right here right now when we let go of everything and trust God.
13 was Eric’s number. He was born July 13, 1975 and died November 13, 2006. Four out of five of his kids are born on the 13th only one who is not is in November. But my younger brother and his wife had their little girl on November 13, 2014. Every time I see a 13 it reminds me of my brother and how God has been here all along through all the experiences I’ve had up to this point and He will be right here within my soul for Eternity! I feel blessed to finally be walking a path that leads to peace. I pray that you feel Gods love and peace as you walk today.
“and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Rest In Peace Tom Dunphy 41, Eric Jacobs 31, Leslie O’Bannon 27, Josh Trainor 23, and John Trewet 45, all are from Iowa.
Plane Fell Nearly Vertically here’s is one of the news articles from the crash.