Memorial service held for 10-year-old killed in Rutherford County storm

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — “Joy” and “boundless laughter” were just some of the words used to describe a 10-year-old boy whose impact on the world far exceeded his short time on earth.

The Rutherford County community gathered Friday night for a memorial service for Asher Sullivan. In May, a storm tore through Rutherford County. Asher was playing outside when he was pulled into a storm drain. He died a little over a week later.

However, Friday night’s service was not about how he died, but about how he lived.

“I think back to the tragedy of that day, but also all the blessings that came afterward,” said Asher’s father Jimmy Sullivan.

This was the first time the community had heard publicly from Jimmy since Asher’s death. He is known as the superintendent of schools for Rutherford County. On Friday, however, he was just a father missing his son.

“Asher danced through life,” Jimmy said. “We’re going to — of course — mourn Asher being gone, mourn the life he had, but we’re also really trying to celebrate some of the great things he did in his life.”

It was Asher’s enthusiasm, his sense of wonder and his incessant laughter that meant so much to others.

“Me, Asher and Price went to Waffle House. We had a little too much fun drawing on the windows. It was Asher’s first trip to Waffle House,” one of his friends recalled.

“Asher was the best brother in the world,” said Declan Sullivan.

The family has already buried Asher privately, but wanted to give the community a chance to say goodbye.

“The weeks following Asher’s accident were by far the hardest of my career, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the time I got to spend with Asher,” said Amber Peneguy, Asher’s fourth-grade teacher. “I wanted people to know about this sweet, mischievous, silly little boy I had the pleasure of knowing. I didn’t want him to be remembered for that one tragic event, I wanted him to be remembered for all the amazing things he put into his life.”

Ultimately, Asher himself became a miracle when he gave new life to four people as an organ donor.

“We know that if it were up to him, he would have chosen to help others without a doubt. Asher is not only our hero, but a hero to four other families. Knowing that he can live on in their lives gives us some small measure of comfort,” said Kaycee Sullivan, Asher’s mother.

Although his time on Earth was far too short, those attending the memorial service agreed that Asher left behind a legacy of love and light.

“At our last flag football game together,” said a friend of Asher’s. “I threw Asher a long pass and he caught it with his head. Love you, Asher.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Asher Sullivan Memorial via GoFundMe. All donations received will be directed to the Asher Sullivan Memorial to support causes that are important to Asher’s memory.