Community grieves over death of own

Compton

Garry Newburn went back to work on Monday. Amber Baker went back to school last week, but Bullard students are still mourning the death of fellow classmate James Compton.

Compton, a junior at Bullard High School, was killed on Jan. 8 on the way to school when his Mustang collided with Newburn's truck on FM 344 on his way to school. Baker's car left the road, but she sustained minor injuries.

19-year-old Newburn, a recent BHS graduate, was transported to ETMCTyler and was treated and released the same day.

"Mr. Compton's car was traveling east on 344 and Mr. Newburn was headed west," said DPS dispatcher Gary Hayes. "Compton lost control on the wet roadway on a curve and his vehicle spun into the westbound lane and collided with Mr. Newburn's truck."

Compton was pronounced dead at ETMCTyler at 9 a.m.

"It's never easy losing one of our own," said Superintendent Jim Wright, who witnessed the wreckage on his way to work that morning.

As soon as Wright left the scene, he paid a visit to BHS principal Scott Franks.

"I knew Scott had a plan in place, but I wanted to be there to assist," Wright said. And indeed Franks did.

"Word was sent to each teacher, so students could be informed of what happened," Franks said. "And through the past week we've had professionals - both district and community volun- -teers - helping the students cope with the passing."

After leaving the school, Wright went to the hospital and visited with the Compton family.

Compton, an active band member, was well-liked both among his peers and the faculty

"James was not just an outstanding student but an outstanding young person," Franks said. "When we talk about exemplifying Bullard Panther spirit - well - James did that."

And in that vein, band director Gary Jordan has set up a scholarship account in Compton's name at Austin Bank. Anyone who wishes to contribute is asked to go to any branch where contributions to the account will be accepted.

Compton was a straight-A student and a member of the National Honors Society. He was a standout on the high school band as a first-chair trumpet player and has been recognized for his talent regionally as well as on the state level, having competed in Texas-wide competitions.

Jordan echoed Frank's remarks and said Compton was a joy to work with.

"He was dedicated and organized guy, and he was always here," Jordan said. "He was one of the first to get to rehearsal and one of the last to leave.

"He will be missed."

Jordan said the band held a meeting shortly before classes let out that day to comfort one another.

In the meantime, Wright hopes Compton's death was not in vain.

"We have been and will continue to pray for the parents, " Wright said. "We keep hoping that students remember this and drive more cautiously. "

The wrecks were the result of difficult road conditions, BHS Officer John Walker said.

"That roadway is a bad place. Coming off that hill and that curve, we've had quite a few wrecks there," Walker said. "The road was slick, and unfortunately somebody died."

But Wright, a regular driver on that road, said wrecks are something he - unfortunately sees on 344 too often.

"We've lost entirely too many on that highway," Wright said.

Services for Compton were held on Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, in Tyler.

A memorial service followed at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church-Bullard.

Compton was born April 24, 1991, in Tyler and was a lifelong resident of Bullard.

Survivors include his parents, James D. "Buddy" and Shirley Compton, Bullard; aunts, uncles and cousins.