Memorial service held for 10-year-old who died in Rutherford County storm

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — “Joy” and “boundless laughter” were just a few words used to describe a 10-year-old little boy whose impact on the world far exceeded his short time on Earth.

The Rutherford County community gathered for a memorial service for Asher Sullivan Friday night. In May, a storm rolled through Rutherford County. Asher was outside playing when he was pulled into a storm drain. He died just over a week later.

However, Friday night’s service wasn’t about how he died, but instead, how he lived.

“I go back to thinking about the tragedy of that day, but all of the blessings that came after,” said Asher’s father Jimmy Sullivan.

This was the first time the community had publicly heard from Jimmy since Asher’s death. He is known as the Director of Schools for Rutherford County. However, on Friday, he was simply a dad who missed his son.

“Asher danced through life,” Jimmy said. “We’re going to — of course — mourn Asher not being with us any longer, the life that he had, but also truly try to celebrate some of the amazing things he did in his life.”

It’s Asher’s spirit, sense of wonder and non-stop laughter that meant so much to others.

“Me, Asher, and Price went to Waffle House. We had a little too much fun drawing on the windows. It was Asher’s first trip to Waffle House,” remembered one of his friends.

“Asher was the best brother in the world,” Declan Sullivan said.

The family has already privately laid Asher to rest, but wanted the community to have a chance to say goodbye.

“The weeks following Asher’s accident were by far the hardest in my career, but I still wouldn’t have traded it for the time that I got to spend with Asher,” said Amber Peneguy, Asher’s 4th-grade teacher. “I wanted people to know of this sweet, mischievous, silly boy that I had the pleasure of knowing. I didn’t want him to be remembered for that one tragic event, I wanted him to be remembered for all of the amazing things he packed into his life.”

In the end, Asher became a miracle himself by giving new life to four people as an organ donor.

“We know if the decision would have been up to him, he would have without a doubt chosen to help others. Asher’s not only our hero but a hero to four other families, knowing that he can live on in their lives brings us a small piece of comfort,” Kaycee Sullivan, Asher’s mom, said.

Though his time on Earth was far too short, those who attended the memorial service echoed the fact that Asher left behind a legacy of love and light.

“In our last flag football game together,” a friend of Asher’s said. “I threw Asher a long pass and he caught it with his head. Love you, Asher.”

In place of flowers, donations may be made to the Asher Sullivan Memorial through GoFundMe . All donations received will be transferred to the Asher Sullivan Memorial to advance causes important to Asher’s memory.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.