Update: A family is now grieving the loss of two of their sons after an accident on New Year’s Eve took the life of their son – just months after losing another son.
US Marine Dawson Lasseter was killed during a vehicle crash while home on leave in Georgia after losing his brother, Harley, in a motorcycle crash in April.
“Harley and Dawson both were two of the most selfless boys, ever,” sister Aliyah Martin said to the Gadsen Times. “They would have given the clothes off their backs to anyone in need. Both boys could light up an entire room as soon as they walked into it. Both could also have you laughing uncontrollably.”
“Harley always wanted to be just like Dawson,” she said. “Harley was so proud for Dawson to be in the Marine Corps. They loved with their whole heart, and always fought for what they believed in and their family.
“Now they are finally reunited.”
Dawson was stationed at 29 Palms Marine Base, Mayo said, but was home from California on leave.
Earlier:
Mike Perrin, al.com
April 5, 2022 -The small northeast Alabama community of Geraldine is mourning the hit-and-run death of 14-year-old Harley Lasseter, a ninth-grader who was a popular student-athlete who had transferred to the school this year from nearby Crossville.
Lasseter was riding his 2003 Honda CH-80 motor scooter on Alabama 75 about 3 miles south of Geraldine when he was struck by an unknown vehicle around 10:20 p.m. Saturday, according to ALEA reports. Geraldine High School principal Jason Mayfield said Lasseter was not far from his home when the hit-and-run happened.
In a Facebook post, Lasseter’s mother, Cassey Lasseter, said, “Most everyone knows by now that my son, Harley Lasseter, was killed in a hit and run crime … Since that time, hundreds of people have messaged, called, and gathered to support my family and to grieve. I haven’t been able to respond individually to these messages, and I’d like to say thank you so much for each message, call, visit, or prayer. The community support during this time is irreplaceable.
“He loved so many people and I know so many people loved him. My family covets your prayers during this time.”
Mayfield said, “Harley moved to our school district this year from a neighboring school of Crossville and they would tell you the same thing: He was just a very kind, big-hearted kid. He was very respectful to adults and he had a lot of self-respect, too.
“If you knew him as a friend, he was a good friend,” the principal said. ‘He had something that most people have talked about and that I definitely witnessed and that was a contagious, big smile. When he greeted you, he was smiling. In the hallways or at Dollar General, he had a smile on his face. He left you with a smile on your face.”
Lasseter played basketball and football at Geraldine. Mayfield said his coaches complimented the youngster’s strong work ethic.
The school had an assembly for its 1,160 students Monday morning upon their return from spring break, Mayfield said.
“When we were trying to make a decision on who to include in our assembly, we were thinking about someone in the ninth through 12th grades, but he was very good friends with students in the seventh and eighth grades. We had to involve the whole school because so many people knew him and cared about him,” Mayfield said.
DeKalb County Board of Education Mental Health Coordinator Otis Washington helped organize the school’s assembly and one-on-one and group discussions with students on Monday, Mayfield said. Following the general assembly, Lasseter’s football and basketball teammates met with head football coach Michael Davis and assistant Ethan Jones, who is also a youth minister.
“Coach Davis kind of set the kids at ease,” Mayfield said. “The groups that were close to Harley spent time together. Mr. Washington and the social workers and counselors and pastors who were with him set up in the library to provide one-on-one and small group counseling.”
Mayfield said his school’s faculty was also provided counseling on Monday.
Lasseter’s survivors include his mother, Cassey Lasseter; sister Alyiah Martin, 19; and brothers Dawson Lasseter, 18; and Noah Lasseter, 9. Funeral services are pending.
The Harley Lasseter Memorial Fund has been established in Geraldine and donations are being accepted at any branch of the Liberty Bank, at the school and by Susan Gilbert at DeKalb Forest Products.
The Alabama State Troopers are investigating the hit-and-run and ask anyone with information to call 256-353-0631.
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