The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
It had been a gloriously sunny day, and Brandon Barnett and buddy Kenneth Hartman "KC" Conner III took advantage of it, riding their dirt bikes not far from KC's home.
But as evening fell Thursday, there was a tragic miscalculation between the two riders, then a terrible collision on Tuck Street.
Brandon, 15, a sophomore at Hickory High School, was pronounced dead at the scene. KC, 15, a sophomore at Grassfield High, died in a Norfolk hospital Friday afternoon.
The boys shared a love for dirt biking and had known each other for about four years, Conner family friend Andrew Cope-land said Friday night.
KC hunted and liked to clay shoot, do motocross and play on his Xbox. He was a fan of motorsports star Travis Pastrana and his "Nitro Circus" show on MTV. An only child, KC doted on his two miniature dachshunds, Stinker and Little Girl.
He was also an organ donor.
"KC was in a bad wreck recently as a passenger in a vehicle," Copeland said. "We were so thankful he survived that, only to lose him two weeks later."
Brandon enjoyed fishing, boating, gas-powered vehicles and working on small engines, according to his mother, Janie Barnett.
"He was always the jokester," she said. "He always wanted to make people laugh."
He did that, she added, by entertaining people with his quirky dances. His friends called him Garth Brooks because of his love of country music.
Janie Barnett's voice cracked when she mentioned Rusty, Brandon's beloved black Labrador dog he got when he was 4.
There was no school on Friday, but news of Brandon's death swept the Hickory and Grassfield community.
Within hours, a Facebook group for Barnett was created and hundreds of students had become members, many posted their condolences.
"Brandon, you are the greatest of friends," wrote Nick Bove. " I love you, man, you are a brother to me. You always will be in my thoughts."
Sarah Nicole Foreman posted that Brandon had been her first boyfriend.
"You've been in my life since elementary school, and we were best friends up until you moved in eighth grade. I miss you..." A Facebook memorial page for KC also was created.
An investigation into the crash showed that neither boy was wearing a helmet, police officer Charles Thiebold said in his report.
Brandon is survived by his parents, James Wade and Janie Barnett, of the 700 block of Wild Cherry Court. He has two sisters, Kristin, 17, and Ashley, 12, and close friend Morgan Miller.
KC is survived by his mother, Donna B. Conner. His father, Kenneth H. Conner Jr., died in 2004.
Crisis intervention teams will be available to students at both Hickory and Grassfield high schools on Tuesday, said school spokesman Tom Cupitt.
Schools were closed Friday and will be again Monday for teacher conferences.
Pilot writers Louis Hansen and Lauren King contributed to this report.
Devon Hubbard Sorlie, (757) 222-5202, devon.sorlie@pilotonline.com
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Brandon Wade Barnett
This is Brandons mom Janie
I would also like for everyone to know that Brandon was an organ Donor also... He was able to save 111 Lives with His Tissues they recoverd from his body... Brandon chose to do this when I took him to get his permit... And I explained to him what it was and he checked the box on his own....
Brandon was full of life if you knew Brandon you know that is true...
He loved Riding and his love of his life was Morgan Miller.
I would not want any one posting NEgative things on here those boys where doing some thing the Both LOVED to do. And no one will ever know the pain we are going thru.. So Please post ony good positive things on here for the memory of the boys .......
LOve you Brandon Wade
Janie Barnett
Brandon Barnett
My family and I traveled to Chesapeake for Brandon's wake and funeral. We are still in disbelief as I'm sure his family is. Our hearts go out to them. There are no words that could help the pain they feel at this time, but I would like to say they are all in our prayers all day, every day. The number of family and friends that attended both events was unbelievable. That goes to show how loved and respected he was. We will miss him greatly. I would like to take a moment as a reminder to some who leave messages, this blog is not meant for any negative or accusatory comments. Please show only love and respect.
Brandon Barnett
I attended Brandon's wake with my daughter. It's always sad when it's a child. My daughter invited Brandon to go with us to Busch Gardens back in sixth grade. They both attended GBMS. I thought of him as a very polite young boy and we had a great time. I was saddened to hear of the accident and since then cannot stop thinking of it. My comment is for his family and KC's family as well. I had a very difficult labor several years ago and passed away briefly (was resucitated successfully). In those brief moments I did experience the other side and I can tell you even though I argued vehemently with the lady who came to get me, once there I did not want to return and was disappointed to be told to go back and care for my child because she needed me. I can tell you Brandon and KC miss you but it's so amazing there, they are happy and do not wish to return. I hope you find this comforting. I tell this to very few people but felt compelled to write it here. You will see them again when the time is right and not before. I am not a religious person as such but do believe life goes on after you pass. I wish all of you much happiness in your future even as my sympathies stay wit
Condolensces
My name is Steve Thompson. I wouldn't consider myself great friends of the Barnetts but I have been to their house for a couple of get togethers and hit it off pretty well with every person in their family. For those who don't know the Barnetts they are an awesome family who live life with a positive attitude and who just like to have fun, and Brandon was no different. Brandon was a link to them who will greatly be missed. I did not have the pleasure of meeting KC but once but to be Brandons best friend and the friend of a couple of my closest friends I can say he was most definitely a similar person. My prayers go out to the Barnetts and Ms. Conner.
THIS IS SO SAD
two young men lost. Every parent fears the loss of a child. My deepest sympathies. In the final analysis it doesn't really matter how they were lost as much as it does to try and share the pain these parents are experiencing-and will experience forever.
To KC's mom-what a wonderful gift you are giving to others through organ donation. Your son will always live in your heart and now he'll bring life to many in need.
I love and miss yall
I have known brandon and kc for a while. Brandon and me were so close we were like brothers. We did everything together we worked and played. He was the best kind of person to know. his smile could light up a room. You always knew where brandon was in the house cause you could always hear someone laughing. It kills me and everyone who knew him. i love his family Janie and Wade are like my other parents as well as kristin and ashley are like my siblings. I know one thing this boy was one of the few people who will leave a lasting impression on my life. I was bitter before i met brandon but he changed me.he was one of those people who if you were his friend he would do anything. everytime i walk in my door i expect to see him sitting in the love seat he always sat in. but he never will again. we will all miss him.THANK YOU PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT SINCERE COMMENTS, i wish more people would have i love them and miss them.pray for the families please.
kc & brandon
just got home from norfolk general ; where my son, kc conner, is still on life support in order to donate his organs.
i have been on facebook ( please everyone go read about kc conner and brandon ) and then came across this forum.
thank you all. God bless you all for your heart-felt comments ,,, except a couple.
someone asked 'can we sue the property owners' ..... are you related to the woman who bought a cup of hot coffee and then sued mcdonalds ???
for your info ,,,, which you DO NOT have until now ,,,,,, the 2 boys collided on a dirt road ,,, a public street; not on anyone's private property. it was a dirt road,out in the woods.
too bad it wasn't your son ,,, right ??? maybe you could have someone to sue.
need money ? thank God i live nowhere near you ,,,,, or at least i hope i don't; and if i did, i would move.
FOR THE REST OF YOU WHO REALLY CARE .....thank you .... the 2 boys collided while riding their dirt bikes ,,, both were instantly killed ,,, i got to my son and beat him in his chest ,slapped his face, yelled and screamed to him to breathe ,,,,,, he did.....
the other boy ,,brandon ,,, never did.
in the ambulance, my son quit breathing and life support
Mr. Conner
You have my sincere condolences, sir, and my thanks for donating your son's organs. No one should have to go through the situation you just did. I have a teen son, too--he doesn't have a dirt bike but some of his friends do.
I tried to be very tactful in what I said so you did misunderstand it. I wouldn't sue either. I just didn't know whether you or the other parents might have already been contacted by lawyers and . . . not knowing the situation, I didn't want to criticize anything.
Probably the thumbs down people were right--it is far too early to talk about helping other kids find a safe place to ride. I just remember when the parents of skateboarders and on-line skaters joined forces and got them parks where they can do their thing. Maybe someday the dirt bikers and ATV'ers will have similar parks. Maybe on private land that is donated.
kc & brandon
This is Devin i knew your son.Im very sorry for your loss. i first met KC in the 9th grade we had a couple classes together and he turned out to be one of my best friends ever since. I was heart broken to hear what had happened about him and brandon.He had a great heart and he will be missed. I also knew brandon. he was a good friend and had a great soul. They are in a better place now, watching over us. I WILL MISS you guys and some day we will all be re-united.
Condolences
As immediate neighbors to the Conner’s for almost my entire childhood, my heart goes to Donna and the other family members. KC was a gift from God and we all enjoyed his spirit and enthusiasm for life. I was not privileged to know Brandon, but I bet he shared that same passion for life as KC did. Life is sometimes not understood, but rest assured that it is always in God’s hands. KC and Brandon are angels watching over us now. Please accept my deepest and sincere condolences.
Respectfully yours,
Lori Spruill Hardy