Sixteen-year-old Brendon Burfield is being remembered by friends, classmates and family as a teenager who could bring people together and make those around him laugh.
Brendon, a junior at Kennedale High School, died Sept. 26 after a motorcycle crash. According to school officials, he had been riding with friends when he stopped his motorcycle near the end of the ride and was struck by another motorcycle being ridden by a friend.
The news has left both the Kennedale and Venus communities grieving. Before attending Kennedale High School, Brendon was a student in Venus, where he continued to maintain close friendships.
On Sunday, friends, former classmates and family members gathered for a balloon release in Venus to remember him and share memories of the teenager they knew.
Those closest to Brendon described him as outgoing and someone who could make people feel comfortable. His friend Chase Green said Brendon had a way of bringing people out of their shell and making it easier for everyone to connect.
Other friends remembered how much he enjoyed spending time with the people closest to him. Christopher Porter said Brendon would often return to Venus after school simply to spend time with his friends.
For those who knew him, Brendon stood out for his energy, willingness to take chances and the smile he frequently carried with him. His friends said relationships were important to him, and many of the memories shared after his death centered on the time he spent with the people he cared about.
His family has also received an outpouring of support as they make arrangements following his unexpected death. A memorial fundraiser organized for the family describes Brendon as a beloved son and younger brother and says the family is facing funeral and memorial expenses after his sudden passing.
Friends are also holding on to one of Brendon’s dreams. He had hoped to build a second-generation truck, and those close to him said they would like to come together someday to complete that project in his memory.
For the students and friends left behind, the loss is still difficult to process. But gatherings such as Sunday’s balloon release have given people an opportunity to remember Brendon together rather than grieve alone.
His friends say the pain of losing someone so young does not simply disappear. Instead, they are learning how to carry the memories of the friend who made them laugh, brought people together and left a lasting impression on their lives.
