Marion County Students Memorialize Friend

First the t-shirts were for the Future Business Leaders of America club in which 18-year-old Erick Gutierrez was inducted as an officer just a few weeks before his death Tuesday evening. Then Marion County High School’s senior class wanted the shirts. And now the community of Buena Vista hopes to sport the memorial t-shirts.

567 shirts made the first order, worn by students at Friday’s Senior Night football game, but one of the tributes made to Gutierrez.

Gutierrez collapsed on the football field during practice Tuesday evening. Paramedics responded but could not revive him. He was later pronounced dead at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Ga.

Teachers and classmates of Gutierrez say he was college-bound, eager to study business.

Visitation will be at 6 p.m. Friday evening at the Chapel of Tante in Buena Vista. The funeral arrangements are set for Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Marion County High School gymnasium.