The Daily Times

More than 100 community members gathered Monday to honor a Heritage High School graduate who died last year.

Heritage’s agriculture department dedicated a memorial garden to Michael “Justin” Mize, who died Feb. 6, 2011, after jumping from a moving vehicle on Grandview Drive in Maryville.

Mize, who was a 2010 Heritage High School graduate, was on the football and wrestling teams. At the time of his death, the 18-year-old was attending the Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville.

Last semester, students approached agriculture teacher Jon Waters and asked if they could honor Mize and his family members. Mize was a Future Farmers of America member.

The high-schoolers later constructed a memorial garden near the Heritage Livestock Facility.

Building trades teacher Lee Martin’s students built two concrete columns, and residential construction teacher Jason Tipton’s students painted the garden’s sign and routed out its words. Willocks Brothers also donated block, and McMahan’s Produce donated plants for the garden.

Second home

Many community members were pleased with the school’s ceremony.

“It’s amazing how one person can affect so many people,” said Amanda Robinson, who graduated in 2011. “Justin was really close with everyone. We miss him dearly — not a day goes by that we don’t think of him. We knew we wanted to do something for him. However, it had to be big because Justin was big.”

Many people thought the memorial garden was the perfect way to honor Mize’s memory.

“Justin spent a lot of time at the livestock facility,” said C.J. Brickey, who graduated in 2009. “It was like his second home, and the memorial garden looks real good. Justin would be very happy with it.”

“When you pull up, you definitely know it’s Justin,” Robinson said.

Mize’s family members were honored by the recognition.

“My family loves each and every one of you for what you’re doing,” said father Mike Mize. “It’s been an extremely hard year for us. You’ve been strong for me, (wife) Robin and (daughter) Paige. We’ve drawn strength from every one of you and what you’ve done. You’ve showed how much you care, and he loved y’all. He loved y’all so much.”

Mike Mize also encouraged children to be safe. “Y’all be safe in your life. Your parents love you so very much. I don’t wish any parent to go through this, and always remember you need to be ready. You never knew what will happen. However, when tragedies happen, we can always count on the love of each other to keep us strong.”

An inspiration

Many people also hope Justin Mize’s life can serve as an inspiration to future high-schoolers.

“Justin was a happy-go-lucky guy, who never met a stranger,” Brickey said. “He was just a good kid. He would’ve given you the shirt off his back.”

“If you were down, he’d come over and talk with you,” said junior Hunter Moss. “You’d be smiling when he left.”

“He always had a smile on his face,” said junior Lane Davis. “In class, he was a good leader and worker. If you gave him an assignment, you could expect it be done right.”

“He never let you down,” Robinson said. “If he made a promise, he wasn’t going to break it.”

“He taught me to never give up,” Moss said. “We were working out here, and I stopped for some reason. He told me, “What are you doing? Keep going.” It’s really stuck with me, because Justin led by example. He tore his ACL but continued to do all his work. He never complained. Not once.”

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