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Hello Fellow Scouters:

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I inform you of the death of one of our finest scouts. Adam Lee, 16 years old, a member of BSA Troop 260, Life Scout, a junior at Austin High School, in Decatur, AL, died this morning.

Adam was a member of his school's football team, playing both defensive end and tight end on the junior varsity and varsity teams. He had been diagnosed with athletic asthma, and last night, during a game, he collapsed during a non-contact situation. The cause of death has been listed as cardiac arrest. It is believed that he had a congenital heart problem that was not diagnosed, much like Pete Maravich had.

Adam was an active scout of Troop 260, having been to Jambo in 1992, and to Philmont in 1994. He was getting ready to do his Eagle project.

Please remember his family in your prayers.

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Ron posted a second note to the Scouts-L List

Sender: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List

Poster: Ron Boyd 

Subject: Re: Scout Adam Lee's Funeral, Decatur, AL

Hello Fellow Scouters:

I want to thank all of you who expressed your sympathy and prayers for one of Scouts Adam Lee, who did at the age of 16. He collapsed on the football field on Monday night, and died Tuesday morning. The actual cause of death is unknown but was not related to football (non-contact situation). Yesterday, Sept. 12th, his funeral was held in Decatur, AL. It was attended by over 1000 people. Our troop, Troop 260, served as honorary pallbearers, and our Scoutmaster was the lead speaker in a very moving funeral. His family is crushed by this, and they need our support and prayers for the days/weeks/months to come. It was a very emotional experience, and our troop is now going through the grieving process. Teenagers, and sometimes adults, think that they will live forever, and when something like this happens, it reminds you how fragile and sometimes short life is. We have a grief therapist who has volunteered to work with our boys the next few weeks.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts, concerns, suggestions, and prayers. They were greatly appreciated. This is truly a great group of people, and I am thankful for the Scouts-L listserv.

(Ron added these personal comments when he gave me permission to post his remembrance of Adam - Jess)

Adam died on September 10, 1996, in Decatur, AL, at the age of 16. He was a Christian, a fine scout, and a person who always wanted to do the right thing. We will miss his great smile, sense of humor, and the fine example he set for our younger scouts. His nickname was "Happy", because he always seemed to be happy, smiling, and in a pleasant mood. He died doing what he loved to do...play football.

Yours in Scouting,

Ron Boyd, ASM

Troop 260, Decatur, AL