Posted 11:37 pm Tuesday, January 22, 2013
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Tyler man died way he lived: Helping someone in need
Friends of a Tyler Good Samaritan, who was killed Friday trying to help another in need, said he died in the same manner in which he lived.
Jason Albright, 33, stopped to help a woman injured in a car wreck on U.S. Highway 31 East, near the Smith and Gregg County line.
While rushing to the woman's aid, he and another Good Samaritan, 28-year-old Dulis Cervantes, were struck by an oncoming car. Cervantes died at the scene, and Albright died at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview.
Albright's friends said the incident was tragic, but they were not surprised he would die helping others, because his life was devoted to those in need.
“He loved Jesus, and he really followed Jesus' example, and he did that to the very end …” Brian Brandt, a long-time friend of Albright, said.
“He was consistently thinking about other people, he was always working to help organizations get to where they wanted to be,” Brandt said. “He did volunteer. He did answer a lot of phone calls. He did reach out to a lot of people because he wanted to see lives hanged in a positive way, and he cared about them.”
Brandt said Albright came to East Texas as an intern for the Sky Ranch, where he eventually was put on the payroll.
“He was incredibly energetic, and he was the guy that always had an idea and always a way we could get better,” Chris Witt, a friend and former colleague at Sky Ranch, said. “He was always coming to my office with a new plan and a new way of doing things. He was challenging the status quo in a good way.
Albright worked with Heartlight Ministries, a Christian boarding school for troubled teens in Hallsville. Brandt said that is where Albright met Erin, his wife of seven years. The couple had a 5-month-old daughter.
He also worked with youth at Rockin' C Ranch.
Jason Albright, 33, stopped to help a woman injured in a car wreck on U.S. Highway 31 East, near the Smith and Gregg County line.
While rushing to the woman's aid, he and another Good Samaritan, 28-year-old Dulis Cervantes, were struck by an oncoming car. Cervantes died at the scene, and Albright died at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview.
Albright's friends said the incident was tragic, but they were not surprised he would die helping others, because his life was devoted to those in need.
“He loved Jesus, and he really followed Jesus' example, and he did that to the very end …” Brian Brandt, a long-time friend of Albright, said.
“He was consistently thinking about other people, he was always working to help organizations get to where they wanted to be,” Brandt said. “He did volunteer. He did answer a lot of phone calls. He did reach out to a lot of people because he wanted to see lives hanged in a positive way, and he cared about them.”
Brandt said Albright came to East Texas as an intern for the Sky Ranch, where he eventually was put on the payroll.
“He was incredibly energetic, and he was the guy that always had an idea and always a way we could get better,” Chris Witt, a friend and former colleague at Sky Ranch, said. “He was always coming to my office with a new plan and a new way of doing things. He was challenging the status quo in a good way.
Albright worked with Heartlight Ministries, a Christian boarding school for troubled teens in Hallsville. Brandt said that is where Albright met Erin, his wife of seven years. The couple had a 5-month-old daughter.
He also worked with youth at Rockin' C Ranch.
Former colleagues said no matter what organization he joined, his goal was to make it better. They said he commonly asked thoughtful questions and strived for excellence.
He earned a Masters in Business Administration from LeTourneau University in Longview and was working as an accountant at General Dynamics in Kilgore at the time of his death. But friends said he never quit volunteering or helping others.
He was a member of the Tyler Leadership Class 25. Colleen Colby, executive director of Leadership Tyler, said after the class was complete the group encouraged its members to find an organization they care about to get involved in. Albright chose Leadership Tyler, she said.
The group is under way with its 26th class, and she told a story of a nervous woman who was put at ease by his voracious personality and friendly nature.
“He is one of those people that you feel like you've known him forever,” Ms. Colby said. “He is so warm, kind and so funny. He puts everyone at ease. From his servant perspective, he took himself very seriously, and everything he did he was in pursuit of excellence.”
Friends estimated more than 200 people attended a memorial service Sunday at Grace Community Church on University Boulevard.
Brandt said although Albright was a part of several pockets of people, themes of impact and humor were common in people's memories.
“He really was that guy who you wanted as your neighbor, or you wanted to your daughter to date,” Ms. Colby said. “He was that all around wonderful, funny, servant leader.”
Albright's visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Community Church, 3215 Old Jacksonville Highway.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been created at Regions Bank to benefit his wife and daughter. Donations to the Jason Albright family can be made at any Regions Bank branch.
KYTX CBS19 contributed to this report.
He earned a Masters in Business Administration from LeTourneau University in Longview and was working as an accountant at General Dynamics in Kilgore at the time of his death. But friends said he never quit volunteering or helping others.
He was a member of the Tyler Leadership Class 25. Colleen Colby, executive director of Leadership Tyler, said after the class was complete the group encouraged its members to find an organization they care about to get involved in. Albright chose Leadership Tyler, she said.
The group is under way with its 26th class, and she told a story of a nervous woman who was put at ease by his voracious personality and friendly nature.
“He is one of those people that you feel like you've known him forever,” Ms. Colby said. “He is so warm, kind and so funny. He puts everyone at ease. From his servant perspective, he took himself very seriously, and everything he did he was in pursuit of excellence.”
Friends estimated more than 200 people attended a memorial service Sunday at Grace Community Church on University Boulevard.
Brandt said although Albright was a part of several pockets of people, themes of impact and humor were common in people's memories.
“He really was that guy who you wanted as your neighbor, or you wanted to your daughter to date,” Ms. Colby said. “He was that all around wonderful, funny, servant leader.”
Albright's visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Community Church, 3215 Old Jacksonville Highway.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been created at Regions Bank to benefit his wife and daughter. Donations to the Jason Albright family can be made at any Regions Bank branch.
KYTX CBS19 contributed to this report.
