Town of Barnsdall remembers 15-year-old student who died in accident

Even before the tornado hit Barnsdall, the town suffered a tragic loss.

A 15-year-old baseball player in Barnsdall was killed in an accident on a county road Saturday evening, and the driver and his two other passengers were also injured.

Tyson’s family and teammates are grieving his loss while also grieving the loss of a large part of their city.

They said Tyson had a positive influence on everyone.

The Barnsdall Panthers baseball team volunteers off the field at Lighthouse Church, where their coach, Ryan Gott, serves as associate pastor.

“It’s non-stop, we were overwhelmed,” God said.

The church is a command center for donations and volunteers.

Gott said they have been busy, grieving the aftermath of the tornado and the loss of 15-year-old Tyson Townley, a well-known, talented player on the team.

“It was a very emotional ups and downs, it’s hard to describe,” he said.

Tyson died in a car accident two days before the tornado.

Teammates said he was a giver, someone they could always count on at practice and as a friend.

“He’s always a smart kid that you can count on when you need something,” JJ Johnson said.

“Tyson was a goofy kid, he was lovable, he had a crazy work ethic,” Maverick Lanphear said.

“I always leaned on him, he always leaned on me,” Lincoln told God. “It’s more like a brother, if anything.”

“Always a good person to talk to when you need it,” said Bodie Clark. “Good in the field, a hard worker.”

God said that as the players come together to clean up the destruction in their city, they will never forget the goofy, loving friend they lost far too soon.

“I wish we had him with us all four years so we could watch him grow up and play college baseball,” Gott said, “but I’m also grateful for the time I spent with him. His heart, his commitment, his attitude, his character, his silliness.

Tyson’s mother wrote to us saying she was grateful for the community and knew God had a plan.

His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday in the high school’s lower gym, and a balloon release will be held at the baseball field after the service.

You can access a GoFundMe for the family HERE.