Mourners bid farewell to teen killed in crash
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3/17/10 newscast on ThePicayuneTV.com
MARBLE FALLS — Even in death, Michael Jeffrey Fluty is still sharing his generosity with others, said a minister during a memorial service Wednesday night for the traffic-accident victim.
Dozens of family and friends gathered to mourn the 19-year-old Horseshoe Bay resident, who succumbed March 12 to his injuries a day after the car he was riding in collided with a Marble Falls Independent School District bus.
"His legacy lives on because of his generosity to others," said the Rev. Doug Lindley, who noted Fluty decided to become an organ donor one month before he died.
IN PHOTO: Spicewood resident Debbie Brust (left) comforts granddaughter Jamie Ludwig after the memorial service Wednesday for Michael Jeffrey Fluty in Marble Falls. Ludwig was Fluty’s aunt, and Brust was a friend. The 19-year-old Falls Career High School student died last week from injuries suffered in a traffic accident. Staff photo by Raymond V. Whelan
Several patients have since received his donated organs, including a girl in San Antonio and another person in Wisconsin, the minister said.
"We can be consumed with the way he died, rather than the way he lived. Don’t focus on what we lost, focus on what we had," Lindley said.
In addition to Lindley, a throng of family and friends offered testimony during a service mixed with laughter, tears and several fond memories. It was held in the chapel of Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281.
"He was a son, a friend and someone that is loved by many," the Rev. Rodney McGee said during the service in which Fluty was remembered for his wide smile and love of corn dogs, fishing, marshmallows, Shake ‘N Bake pork chops and skateboarding.
Fluty planned to graduate next month from Falls Career High School.
"Mikey was the kind of dude who could walk into a room and put a smile on everybody’s face," said classmate Dallas Harper. "I am sad to see him go. But he is in a better place now. He is in good hands."
Teacher Emily Patterson remembered as Fluty as a person who "brought joy with him."
"He was so kind of heart to all the other students," Patterson recalled. "I can only remember good things about Mikey."
Randi Born, who works for Falls Career Student Services, remembered Fluty as a "happy soul."
Fluty was born Aug. 15, 1990, in Orlando, Fla.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather Pennie (Wiysel) Ludwig and Josh Ludwig of Horseshoe Bay; his father William Fluty of Melbourne, Fla.; brother Will Fluty II of Marble Falls; sisters Krista Fluty of Marble Falls and Guyla Fluty of Melbourne, Fla.; grandparents Franklin and Cora Wiysel of Vancleave, Miss.; and grandmother Carol Wiysel of Melbourne, Fla.
He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends.
Mark Cooksey, 17, of Granite Shoals, was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier east on RR 1431 when it crossed into westbound traffic and was involved in a collision with the eastbound bus, law enforcement officers said.
Fluty was the passenger, Granite Shoals police said.
The bus was carrying seven elementary students and a driver. They were not injured, according to investigators.
Both Fluty and Cooksey were flown by rescue helicopters to University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin. Cooksey was treated and released.