A young man in Davie, Florida, participated in a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program on Saturday, November 4th. Tragically, however, the race ended not in a sporting contest well fought but in that young man’s abrupt passing from cardiac arrest.
That young man is Knox MacEwen, a fourteen-year-old Floridian. A member of Western High School’s JROTC program, Knox was running in the JROTC program’s 5k when, soon after the race, he suffered from cardiac arrest. Knox was quickly transported to Memorial Hospital Miramar, but tragically, the hospital could not save him and he was later pronounced dead.
Such is what NBC Miami noted in an article on Knox’s passing in which it also quoted Western High Principal Jimmy Arrojo as saying, “I am saddened to share tragic news impacting our Wildcat community. One of our JROTC students passed away this morning after being transported to the hospital. I want to offer my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, teachers, and classmates as they mourn this great loss.”
Mr. Arrojo continued, “I ask our Wildcat community to rally around the family in prayer and support during this time of deep sorrow. Please know that grief counselors will be available on campus this week to meet with anyone needing assistance or support.”
MacEwen was also an active member of his church, Cooper City’s Crossway Church. His pastor, Jon Elswick, said, “I think when you have a tragedy like this, and someone as loved as Knox, there’s ripple effects all the way through our church community, so we have students that were friends with him, family members that are friends with his family, so it’s been a really difficult time.”
Pastor Elswick continued, “Knox’s dad said to me a couple of days ago, that Knox was the best of us, and I love that phrase because if you knew Knox, that’s who he was, right, this is a teenager who when you think about him, you think of a loving kid, a caring kid, a funny kid.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser was created to help Knox’s family pay for the tragic and unexpected funeral expense. Describing Knox, that fundraiser said, “On November 4th, 2023, the MacEwen family suddenly and tragically lost their beloved 14-year-old son, Knox. He was a revered member of his local community – a JROTC student, a volunteer with the kids ministry at his home church; and he was a beloved brother, son, grandson, nephew and friend. The purpose of this fundraiser to help with funeral expenses, and to allow Knox’s parents, Kevin and Julie, to take some time off of work to grieve.”
It continued, “This family has been through the unimaginable, as this has happened as Knox’s mom, Julie, is still physically and financially recovering from a hard fought battle with cancer this last year. Any gifts will go directly to the MacEwen family, and are deeply appreciated.“
Commenting on the fundraiser, one donor said, “Julie and Kevin, we can’t even imagine what you are going through, but we know that Knox will forever be in our hearts and he has left an unbelievable impression on so many people. We just pray that God will surround your family and lift you up. We are here for you and love you all so, so much!!”
Featured image credit: from GoFundMe
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