Students Remember Friends Lost

Since two Texas Tech students died during the first week of classes, their friends have begun to share memories about the lives they lived.

Landers visited the flag which was lowered for Callaway on Monday. Maddy McCarty/The Hub@TTU

Landers visited the Texas Tech flag, which was lowered for Callaway on Monday. Maddy McCarty/The Hub@TTU

Kacey Callaway was 22 when he was found dead in his apartment from what police suspect was an accidental overdose on Jan. 22. Victoria Landers, a senior journalism major and a close friend of Callaway’s, said he was a genuine and kindhearted person.

“We shared a bond that could not be put into words,” she said.

Landers said she was aware Callaway had a substance abuse problem and hopes this tragedy will warn other students against drug use.

“I want people to be aware that this is a huge issue on college campuses,” she said.

Photo of Kacey Callaway from Facebook.

Photo of Kacey Callaway from Facebook.

Callaway was an engineering major, according to Landers, and sometimes used pills to deal with stress. She said she does not want any other families to deal with the pain the Callaways are feeling.

“There’s been an opportunity for me to do stupid things while I’m coping with this,” she said. “But I’m not because I know exactly what killed him.”

The Texas Tech flag was lowered in Callaway’s memory on Monday.

Friends gathered to remember Jonathan Ross on Sunday. Photo provided by Kelsey Maddy.

Friends gathered to remember Jonathan Ross on Sunday. Photo provided by Kelsey Maddy.

Jonathan Ross was 21 when he was found dead in his apartment also from a suspected accidental overdose on Jan. 25. Kelsey Maddy, a junior advertising major, remembers Ross as the friend who brought everyone together.

“His main thing was to live life to the fullest,” Maddy said. “Don’t sleep the day away and share positive vibes.”

Maddy posted on Facebook that he had been friends with Ross for seven years and wishes it was all just a dream.

“Thank you for all of the memories and all of the friends that I’ve made because of you,” he wrote.

A memorial service was held Sunday. Ross’ s funeral will be in Austin on Wednesday, according to Maddy.

jross

Photo of Jonathan Ross from Facebook.

More Facebook posts called Ross a great person and said he “will be missed by many.”

Landers says she had cut off contact with Callaway before his death because he did not want to accept any help for his addiction. Now, she wants to learn about what made him that way.

“I’m not trying to be angry about it,” she said. “I’m trying to understand it.”

About Maddy McCarty

Maddy is the Graduate Executive Director for The Hub@TTU. She loves reading, writing and petting her cats. She has a bachelor's degree in journalism, is pursuing her master's in mass communications and wants to continue reporting on important issues.