The search will begin again for another donor, though.

A medical match for the bone marrow of his ailing four-year-old sister, Erin, Tony was killed in an automobile accident near the Georgia/Tennessee state line Sunday, March 21.

His death stunned not only his family, but his school and the Helmsburg community.

Tony was killed in a freak crash.  He was riding in a van with his parents and other relatives as they towed the family's disabled station wagon back home.

A gust of wind caught the van and its tow, forcing the trailing vehicle into the path of a passing semi tanker.

Tony was thrown from the van to his death although seatbelts were used.

Erin suffers from a blood disorder known as Fanconia  Anemia.  According to her father, Tracy Parrish, if a bone marrow transplant doesn't take place by the time she turns 14-15, the disease often proves fatal by affecting vital organs including the heart and kidneys.

Erin was to undergo her first treatment this year, Mr. Parrish said.  She's already endured operations at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for other problems.

According to his step-father, Tony knew about the procedure and was ready to help his sister.  "Tony was the type of child that would have,"  Mr. Parrish said.  "He was ready, willing and able."

Tony's parents had hoped to donate his organs in order to help another child in need, knowing that's what Tony would have wanted.  They had also hoped to salvage some bone marrow.  Doctors were unable to harvest the life-saving organs, however.

The family had been returning from a trip to Florida when the accident occurred.

According to the child's grandfather, Seymore Parrish of Bittersweet Road, his daughter, Teresa and her husband Tracy were on their way home when the transmission gave out in their station wagon in Georgia.  A close relative with a van was towing the station wagon back to Indiana on Interstate 75 just inside the Georgia state line when a gust of wind blew the Parrish's car into a passing tanker tractor trailer causing the van to flip and skid several feet.

Tony was ejected from the vehicle and was found in the median of the interstate next to a guardrail after a frantic search for the children, his grandfather said.  He was pronounced dead after being transferred to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga for treatment.

Tony's brother, Nicholas, a kindergartner at Helmsburg was injured when the van rolled onto his leg.  After surgery, doctors expect him to be walking in two to three weeks.

Erin was also slightly injured in the accident along with a cousin, Brianna.  Mrs. Parrish received cuts above her eye that required stitches, her father said.

The family was able to return to Brown County for Anthony's funeral Thursday morning, March 25. 

Helmsburg Principal Nancy White said the school corporation's two counselors - Mandy Zellmer and Ted Sharpe, would be there if students or faculty felt the need to discuss the tragedy. 

Letters were sent home to parents to keep them up on the situation and that counselors were available.  The proactive approach has been used at the school already this year.

Counselors were called to the school last November, when Morgan LaVere, a sixth grader, died after a long illness. 

According to Mrs. White, Anthony loved outdoor activities, including basketball on the school's playground.  "He was such a sweet little boy," the principal said.  "Alot of children are going to miss him."

Those interested in more information about donating bone marrow, may call 1-800-MARROW2.

(Steve Arnold)