Community mourns death of LFO football player

Graduation continued as planned last week at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School for the Class of 2015.

However, the mood was grim as students and faculty mourned the death of one of their own.

Seventeen-year-old Zane Crowder passed away on Sunday, May 17 following complications surrounding Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and HLH.

While his immune system was compromised due to the rare disease that affects the immune system, those who knew the offensive/ defensive lineman said it never had an effect on his spirit.

“It's difficult to see somebody who had so much passion to be around friends, to be involved in athletics and so much love for his school,” said former LFO head coach Todd Windham. “It's difficult to see that taken and our heart goes out to his family.”

Friends and family, including his brother Zachary, said Zane’s perseverance was inevitable even though he had to endure so much physical pain and treatments that included frequent trips to Atlanta for blood transfusions.

“You'd never know,” Zachary said. “You'd never have known it was so hard on him.”

Zachary said Zane was one of the strongest people he knew despite his struggles.

LFO assistant football coach and math teacher, Chris Eaves said losing a Warrior at heart and a teammate to his senior son Sam Eaves was truly devastating.

“What we know are things happen,” Eaves told a large group of LFO students following Crowder’s death. “Events happen. Some are good and some are bad. Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. Sometimes these events, the good and the bad, are results of our own decisions….the good decision and bad decisions. Sometimes things happen to us that we