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Family Mourns Cherished Son

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN and RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2007

Updated: 12/11/2007 09:22 am

PLANT CITY - Even in their darkest hour, family members of a 9-year-old boy killed by a church float in the Plant City Christmas Parade recalled that their "little comedian" loved nothing more than making people laugh.

Jordan Hays would imitate celebrities. He would quote his favorite funny movies and act out scenes.

"He was our little comedian with intentions of making everyone that he came into contact with giggle and laugh out loud," said the family in a written statement issued Monday through a pastor. "Everyone that he met loved him dearly."

The statement was distributed to reporters by the Rev. Joe C. Kelley Jr., pastor of Greater Heights Family Worship Center in the Springhead community near Plant City. Jordan was helping distribute candy from the worship center's float when he was killed after 8 p.m. Friday.

A family member on Friday gave a different spelling for Jordan's last name.

Jordan, whose nickname was "Booka," was an adventurous boy who was full of life, his family said.

The statement said his passions included riding with his cousins through the mud on his four-wheeler and playing video games. Survivors include his parents, Jerry and Connie, and siblings Constance "Sissy," Josh and Amber.

"This is a very heartbreaking moment for everyone involved, but our family has proven time and time again that through love, strength and the bond we have as a family, we can make a tragedy an opportunity." The statement thanked the community for its thoughts, prayers and acts of kindness.

Jordan was killed when he got caught under the wheels of the float as he reached for more candy to toss. Kelley said his impression was the crush of the spectators pressing in on the float played a role in the accident, but Police Chief Bill McDaniel said he was unable to verify that.

"From everything I am told right now, the crowd had nothing to do with this accident," McDaniel said.

"People are noisy and more involved in the excitement of the parade than ever before. But there was no rush and no crush of the crowd that contributed to the death of this young boy."

About 70 officers from several law enforcement agencies were on hand for crowd control, including two at each intersection, McDaniel said.

Jordan was among 18 people walking with the church float. Eleven more people were riding on the float, built on a trailer that weighed 2,400 pounds empty, police said.
Christmas parade rules say children younger than 10 should ride on the floats rather than walk alongside "if at all possible."

Foundation To Help Children

The family said it is establishing a foundation called Jordan's Wish that will collect and distribute donated toys to needy children. The family has also set up a trust fund with Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union for monetary donations.

Businessman Johnny Knotts, who was one of the first to reach Jordan after the accident, volunteered to collect donations at his hardware store at 314 S. Collins St., a half-block from where the boy was killed.

"I am glad to help the family," Knotts said. "This has been so tragic, but to be able to help the family cope with their loss helps me deal with a very sad event."

City Review Under Way

At city hall Monday evening, Plant City officials discussed ways to prevent an accident from happening again.

City Manager David Sollenberger asked McDaniel to complete a thorough investigation into Jordan's death and asked Plant City Fire Rescue Chief George Shiley to evaluate his department's response in terms of its ability to reach the scene during the crowded parade.

Sollenberger also asked parade organizers for recommendations on how to improve safety. City commissioners expect to review and take action on the recommendations in January, Sollenberger said.

The fatality in Plant City is not expected to change procedures at Tampa's annual Gasparilla parade, an organizer said.

Jim Tarbet, the executive officer of Tampa-based Ye Mystic Crewe of Gasparilla, said safety measures for the parade have been refined throughout the event's 103-year history. Barricades separate the crowd from the floats and an army of parade marshals and law enforcement officers monitor each section of the 3.7-mile route, he said.

"We're comfortable with what we have in place," Tarbet said. "We've stood the test of time with what we have in place. I say that in confidence of what we do year after year."

JORDAN'S WISH

Jerry and Connie Hays have created a foundation in memory of their son called Jordan's Wish, which will collect toys for less fortunate children. Plant City businessman Johnny Knotts, one of the first to reach Jordan after the accident during the Christmas parade, has volunteered to collect donations, including cash, checks, toys or stuffed animals, at his hardware store. Donations and toys can be dropped off at Knotts Trading & Supply at 314 S. Collins St. in Plant City.

The Hays family has also established a trust fund for monetary donations at Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union. Checks can be made payable to Jerry D. Hays Jr. or Connie L. Hays and dropped off at any credit unit branch, or mailed to Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, Attention: Member Service Support, P.O. Box 11904, Tampa FL 33610.

SERVICE FOR JORDAN HAYS
A viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Chas E. Davis Funeral Home, 3075 S. Florida Ave., Inverness. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Floral City United Methodist Church, 8480 E. Marvin St., in Floral City.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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