Georgia high schooler loses both parents to Covid-19 four days apart, dedicates senior football season to them
JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA: After losing both of his parents to coronavirus, a teenage football player has planned to dedicate his senior season to them. Justin Hunter, who is a rising senior at Johns Creek High School and a linebacker on the football team, said he and his parents, Angie and Eugene, were like every other family in the US, who took all precautions to save themselves from the Covid-19.
The 17-year-old also said that he had no idea from where his parents contracted the deadly virus. “We were a regular family just trying to stay safe during this pandemic. When my mom would go to the store, she would be wearing mask and she would be wearing gloves,” he added.
Two weeks ago, the family tested positive for the coronavirus. Though Hunter was safe, his parents developed alarming symptoms. “They became very sick and they had the clear symptoms. Their temperatures skyrocketed. They had headaches. Horrible cough. They felt very lazy,” Hunter said.
Initially, both Angie and Eugene, who were married for 35 years, quarantined at home separately. But things got worse and they were shifted to a local hospital, where the 59-year-old Eugene died on July 26 while his 57-year-old human resources executive wife died on July 30.
Remembering his last conversations with his parents, Hunter said his father told him, “I love you and I’m going to get better and I’m going to keep fighting” while his mother said, “God has you”. The teenager said that despite his great loss, he did not want to feel sorry for himself. “They never raised me to sit around and feel sorry for myself in any situation, and I just gotta keep going and pushing. I know they’re happy up there and that’s what makes me happy,” Hunter said.
He also shared a post on Twitter thanking his parents for what they did for him. “Thank you for always pushing me in the right direction. Thank you for always giving me the strength to push myself past my limits. Thank you for all the good memories and all the good times we had together. Thank you for teaching me what love is. Thank you for everything,” the message read.
Thank you all for your support. It means the world to me. I won't be responding to text or calls at this time, but I will get back to all of you soon. Love you all:black_heart:#LLE:two_hearts::dove_of_peace: #LLA:two_hearts::dove_of_peace: pic.twitter.com/WCfgmOHltB
— Justin Hunter (@JustinHunter47) July 31, 2020
A woman named Keva B. Napper also shared a post on Facebook in which she mentioned that Eugene was a former saxophone player for Mount Zion United Methodist Church. “This week, our brother and former saxophone player at Mount Zion, Eugene Hunter, passed due to complications from Covid-19. Angie passed this week as well from Covid, leaving their 17-year-old son without parents. This is beyond heartbreaking and Justin needs our prayers! Eugene was not only a great musician but had a kind heart!! We will miss you guys!!” Napper wrote.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has also been created for Hunter “to establish a trust for” him. “This will help provide basic life needs and enable him to pursue his educational dreams and aspirations,” the message on the fundraising site stated. By Monday evening, August 3, the site had raised $258,942 out of the $300,000 goal.
Thanking all the donors, Hunter said: “Just seeing everybody all the people just donating and supporting, like people from out of state, people from different counties, it feels really good to know that I got people who have my back.”