Funeral set for Monday for Lebanon High senior who died after half-marathon

Family and friends will gather Monday to celebrate the life of Lebanon High School senior Rudy Alberto Zevallos Jr., who collapsed Oct. 5 after crossing the finish line for a half-marathon.

The Laclede County community has rallied to support the family of the 18-year-old known as "Junior."

"It's just a tragic loss. We feel that he was robbed of his life and we just don't understand why. We wish we had answers," said his sister, Lorraina Zevallos, 25. "Junior loved everyone and he was such a good kid."

In a Facebook post, the Lebanon district said extra support has been available this week following the unexpected loss of the student athlete , who was set to graduate in December.

The district message read, in part: "This is a very difficult time for our school community, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss. We care deeply for our entire school community and mourn together when we experience loss."

Lorraina Zevallos said the family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support for Junior, including a balloon release and a memorial at the 7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee where he worked.

"Everyone has brought things to remember him — footballs, and his friends would have fake poker night, so they bring those chips," she said.

The family started a GoFundMe page on the online fundraising platform to help with funeral expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, 280 people had donated more than $29,000. The original goal was $11,000.

"We had a meal train from the families in Lebanon, which we didn't expect. People we don't even know are coming up and giving their condolences and telling us how they knew Junior. We've had customers at the 7 Brew tell us how much of an impact he had on them," she said. "And so many students ... It has been crazy to see how many people actually knew him and said he played a part in their lives."

Lorraina Zevallos said she and sister Iyleena Zevallos have long been impressed with their little brother.

"We think we made a lot of mistakes when we were teenagers and were reckless and when we look at him, our whole family was just amazed because he did everything right and then double did it to make sure he did it better next time," she said. "We all have motivation but the motivation he had was like no other."

A month ago, Junior finalized plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps — following in the footsteps of his father — and was set to leave in March.

"He was very determined to do great things. He always said 'I have so much to do.' We'd always tell him to enjoy while you're young," she said.

Junior was born in San Jose, California and the family moved to Missouri in 2013, living briefly in Crocker before finding a home in Lebanon. He has been in that district since eighth grade.

Lorraina Zevallos said the entire family was at the Frog Hill Half Marathon, 10K and Leapfrog 5K on Saturday along with her brother's girlfriend. Junior played sports in middle and high school, including track and field.

"He was very active. If he wasn't at home or work, he was at the gym. He was very fit. He was always working out," she said.

Junior originally planned to run the half-marathon with his mom, Stephanie, but she bowed out, saying she was not quite ready.

"Every other day he runs. There were no signs of anything, nothing we were aware with him," Lorraina Zevallos said.

She said they were all waiting at the finish line when he crossed, looking exhausted.

"He went down on the cooler and collapsed pretty much immediately," she said, adding: "Very quickly we realized that something was really wrong."

The sister said two men, a runner and organizer, immediately started CPR, while a family member called 911. Her brother was taken by ambulance to the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital.

The family rushed to the hospital and were ushered into a room, where they were told his heart had stopped. She said they were told Junior's body temperature reached a dangerously high level.

According to the Pulaski County Coroner's Office, a cause of death may not be known for weeks.

The tight-knit family, who all live under the same roof, have been comforted by the outpouring of support but Lorraina Zevallos acknowledged they are confused, grieving and "on autopilot."

"Junior's biggest thing is that he just wants everyone to be the best version of themselves they can be. We thought it was a little cheesy at first but he got a tattoo that basically said 'Me versus me' and that was his thing, it's himself versus himself. He can do anything, he just wants to be the best he can be," she said. "That is something that we all learned from him."

Funeral services

The family of Lebanon High School senior Rudy Alberto Zevallos Jr. said all friends and acquaintances are invited to attend the visitation at 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Lebanon. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m.

No burial is scheduled because he will be cremated after the service.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Funeral set for Monday for Lebanon High senior who died after half-marathon