DECATUR -- Students, faculty, staff, friends, and community members surrounded the center field wall at Edmiston Baseball field in Decatur on March 19 to remember a member of the 2024 senior class of Decatur High School.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred March 11 in Decatur. No details have been released to the public at press time.
Around 75 Decatur middle and high school students, teachers, staff members, and friends gathered around a memorial to Barry Mongkeya to remember the high school senior and to commemorate what would have been his 20th birthday.
At 7 p.m., the Decatur High School class of 2024 lined up in front of the memorial to remember and honor one of their own. After singing one of his favorite songs, Jackie Mendoza recalled the impact Mongkeya made on the lives of everyone he touched during his short life.
He loved baseball. Although he reached the age limit set by the Arkansas Activities Association, he attended many of the Decatur Bulldog games over the past year and helped when he could. He was also an accomplished ukulele player and often played during school breaks.
About halfway through the proceedings, the sky filled with different sizes and shapes of blue balloons (school color), which were launched in celebration of Mongkeya's life. As the blue balloons sailed high toward Gravette and beyond, the seniors led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday.
As the sun set over the service, candles were lit, and every member of the senior class placed one on the memorial. Friends and family followed suit.
A long moment of silence and a short prayer ended the memorial service.
Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer
The senior class at Decatur High School stands together March 19 as they remember classmate Barry Mongkeya, who died March 12 in Decatur. The memorial service was held at Edmiston Baseball Field in Decatur on what would have been Mongkeya's 20th birthday.
Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer
Blue balloons fly high over the soccer field at Veterans Park in Decatur March 19 as students, faculty and staff at Decatur High School, along with family and friends, remember Barry Mongkeya, who passed away March 12 of injuries received in an incident in Decatur. The southerly winds blew the ballons toward Gravette and beyond.
Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer
Kevin Sanchez (right) assists senior Tony Hernandez in lighting a candle during the memorial service for classmate Barry Mongkeya, who died on March 12. The memorial was held at Edmiston Baseball Field on March 19 in Decatur to remember his life and commemorate his 20th birthday.
Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer
Along with students, faculty and staff at Decatur High School, members of Barry Mongkeya's family gather near his memorial at Edmiston Baseball Field on March 19. Mongkeya died on March 12 in Decatur.
Mike Eckels/Special to the Eagle Observer
A ukulele, line drawing and a baseball glove are among items left by family and friends of Barry Mongkeya who died March 12. Mongkeya loved baseball and was an accomplished ukulele player.