As originally printed in the Centreville Press October 24, 2007
Bibb County Junior High
retires athletic number of Trent Morton in ceremony
By Mike Oakley
Trent Morton was a vibrant 12-year-old, about to enter into
his teen years when a tragic accident on April 1, 2007, took his life.
He was more active than most kids, probably due to the
influence of his father Terry, a junior high coach, and older brother Taylor,
who was active in just about every sport available and was a source of pride
for mom Tammy, and little brother T.J.
Trent was active in baseball, football and basketball and
loved them all equally. He was enamored with LSU football and loved to tease
his friends when LSU became a football powerhouse and started beating their
favorite college teams. In fact, one of his favorite memories was going to the
2006 LSU vs. Alabama game in Baton Rouge, LA., with his father.
That tragic weekend also saw the opening day of Dixie Youth
Little League. Trent was in his last year and quickly established himself as
one of the premier players in the league. He won the first game he pitched and,
in two games, went 5-for-5, batting .1000. He was definitely coming into his
own.
In athletics, he chose the number 45 because Michael Jordan
had once worn it and Trent dearly loved his Air Jordan basketball shoes, almost
as much as he loved spending time with his life long friend Kendal Hubbard.
Trent’s death created a huge loss in the community. His
principal at the time, Duane McGee said,” What struck me was how many of the
kids were affected by his passing. Trent played on just about all the youth
sports teams and made so many friends through sports, but even the kids who
weren’t into sports thought of themselves as his friend. That is a high
compliment among kids that age.”
Friend Kyle Johnston said, “I loved his attitude. He was
always talking about sports and always smiling and cracking jokes.” Brooks
Horsley said, “I loved his sense of humor. He was always supporting people and
was always a good sport.” Patrick Kirby said, “He definitely had a Christian
sportsmanship attitude. Even when a ref would make a call against our team,
Trent would smile and say something funny.” Brady Ingram said, “Trent was
always smiling, no matter what.” Knavish Huckleberry said, “He was always
wanting to play sports or play video games and loved to eat cheese.” Jalen
Goree said, “Trent was always there when you needed someone. He loved LSU and
loved laughing and playing jokes.”
His big brother Taylor said, “Trent was an awesome brother.
He had started working out with me and was really becoming an athlete. We had
small arguments like brothers do, but we really got along. I think about him
every day.” Former Little League coach Tony Kyzer said, “Trent was a great kid,
about to be a great athlete, and a source of inspiration. He was a coach’s
dream and I am a better person for having coached him. He taught me way more
than I taught him.” Former teacher Linda Moore, who is also the mother of
Trent’s good friend, Justin, said, “Trent was never anything but himself.
Justin seriously though of Trent as his little brother. Justin was teaching him
some basketball skills. They were always playing jokes on each other and had
funny nicknames for each other.”
During a recent football pep rally current Principal Ernie Cutts surprised
everyone by taking center stage and making an announcement concerning Trent
Morton. “I have had so many youngsters come to me asking me to do something to
commemorate Trent’s memory that we decided to officially retire the number 45
from Bibb County Junior High Football, Basketball and Baseball. Judging from
the comments I have received over the past months and the actions of Trent,
there is no one who could take his place.” Coach Charles Stacy had the Junior
High Football team come up to
the podium as he read the Proclamation:
Whereas, the provisions of Bibb County Junior High’s
promotion and retention would have been in order for promotion to the 8th
grade for the late Trent McDaniel Morton.
Whereas, the late Trent McDaniel Morton was active in all
extracurricular activities to include: Football, Basketball and Baseball. The
said individual also held high Academic Standings. He was a member of the
National Junior Honor Society.
Therefore, we, the faculty, staff, and student body of
Bibb County Junior High School take proud honor in recognizing such a wonderful
student. Today, on October 12, 2007, we will retire the forever remembered
jersey number of Trent McDaniel Morton, #45.
The Proclamation was signed and dated by Principal Ernie J.
Cutts and Assistant Principal Alan G. Ray.
Trent’s father, Terry composed a statement from the family
regarding the honor bestowed upon Trent: “It was a great honor by the Junior
High faculty and student body to pay respects to our middle son, Trent, in retiring
his jersey number. There has been a tremendous outpouring of care and support
from the community following Trent’s passing. We could never repay thanks for
all who have been at our family’s side during this loss and sadness in our
lives. We truly believe God has a plan for our lives even though we do not
always understand His ways. We are just taking Him by faith day by day. In
helping us with our healing process we truly believe it has also been a healing
process for Trent’s classmates at school. If Trent could tell you now, from
Heaven, he would tell you how much he loves you and will always welcome us home
one day to our eternal and permanent home in Heaven. May number 45 always live
within out hearts.”
Photo: Terry Morton proudly holds up the retired jersey of his son Trent Morton. Trent was killed in Spring of 2007 in a four wheeler accident.
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