Tragedy for Long Beach

Two of Kevin's close buddies were involved in a plane crash at the Long Beach airport this morning. Mike Jensen is the only person to have survived the crash. He is in critical conditional at Long Beach Memorial. Mark Bixby passed away along with five others on the plane. Both Mike and Mark are the nicest, kindest men you will ever meet. Both have loving wives and three children. Both are dedicated family men and devoted fathers. It is such a tragedy. Kevin just spent four days last week with these guys cycling from San Jose to Long Beach and having tons of fun. When I dropped Kevin off for the trip Mark came over and promised me to bring Kevin home safely. I wish I could do the same for Mark's wife Theresa. Mike left the cycling trip early to celebrate his daughter's 16th birthday on Saturday. He is that kind of Dad.

I really do not think there is a nicer person in this world then Mark Bixby. Kevin has known Mark since childhood. They grew up in the same neighborhood. They worked together at Pacific Retail. They have the same hobbies and ride together multiple times every week on their cycling team. They have kids the same ages and are always at the same functions. When we were seniors in high school Mark had just graduated from Duke University and unlike most 22 year old men, he was so supportive of his brother our age. He took pictures at every function we had at Wilson that year. He drove us to our senior prom. He rowed us around Naples in a gondola. He's been doing the same ever since - helping, supporting, and always taking pictures. Mark is also one of the best charitable volunteers Long Beach had. He was an amazing man!

I just can't believe this has happened - it is such a tragedy! Our prayers are with the Bixby and Jensen families.