The sanctuary inside the First Christian Church of Granbury just won’t sound the same anymore.
“People knew who he was and came to hear him play,” minister Alex Smith said. “There's a void that will never be filled in there."
Jeremy Bowen, 28, had been making music at this church for more than a decade, first as a parishioner, then as the beloved pianist, organist and co-director of music. He was supposed to play piano this Sunday morning, but didn’t show up.
“We were worried,” Smith said, “and tried to get in contact with him, Jeremy and Ashley both, and couldn't.”
A DPS spokesman said Jeremy, along with his longtime girlfriend, 26-year-old Ashley Morrison, were driving on I-20 Saturday night just west of Weatherford, on their way from Stephenville to Fort Worth, when, for an unknown reason, Jeremy’s car drove into a culvert and hit an embankment. A deputy found them by chance eight hours later, when he was responding to a call for loose livestock.
“We're all in shock," said Lauren Garcia, who taught with Ashley in the Azle ISD. "Just so young and talented, both of them. Just no warning."
Ashley had just started a job as a music teacher at Hoover Elementary this year. She directed the choir with Garcia, who said Ashley’s voice was like an angel and called her a rising star.
“It was such a short time she was there with those kids, but they adored her and they hung on her every word,” Garcia said. “They’re going to remember her and the songs she taught them.”
Ashley had also previously directed the children’s choir at the Acton United Methodist Church.
Jeremy was also the choir director at Granbury High School, his own alma mater.
“Our hearts are broken,” the principal said Monday.
“Those kids looked up to him. He brought music to people’s lives,” said Smith, who was a dear friend of Jeremy’s.
Smith and other say the community is crushed at the loss of the beautiful, talented couple.
“Jeremy and Ashley would want us to pick up our instruments and keep playing,” she said.
Continuing the song this young couple had just begun.
