Friends and family mourned the loss of a Centennial High School Senior after he was killed in a car crash during Fall break.
Jim Cheek, age 18, was a football and baseball player at Centennial. His friends said he was known for his infectious personality and for being a loyal friend.
A group from the Harpeth Hills Church of Christ youth group gathered at a Brentwood home Tuesday night. Many fought back tears as they shared stories and memories about Cheek. He was an active member of the church.
“Jim was the kind of guy who brought a lot of different people together because they all wanted to be around him,” said Jason Pagel, Youth Minister at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ. “There is a lot of numbness and hurt.”
Cheek was with friends in Dickson County Monday, when the vehicle he was riding in flipped.
News of the tragic accident spread quickly through the Centennial community. Principal Leigh Webb released a statement: “Our thoughts/prayers go out to the Cheek family and all of Jim's friends, classmates, and teammates. Jim was a member of the CHS football and baseball teams and a vibrant member of our school family.”
Centennial boys and girls basketball games Tuesday night against Columbia Central High School were canceled.
Pagel said friends had been stopping by the Cheek’s house throughout the day to support his family.
“He lived large and wonderfully, and he had an incredible impact on many,” said Pagel.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Cheek’s family with funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/jim-cheeks-memorial-fund
Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.
This is the second time in about a year the Centennial High School community has mourned the loss of a student. Centennial High students Anisah Bourriague and Nickell Whitson, and former student Adrian Williams died in a car accident in December of 2015.
