Funeral Arrangements For Child Killed In Windsor Parade Announced

GREELEY, CO – The funeral for a boy killed Monday at a Windsor Labor Day parade will be held Friday.

Brycen Zerby, 8, died after being struck by a parade float at the Windsor Harvest Festival. The float was sponsored by Brycen's church, Generations Church in Greeley, and Brycen was participating in the float when he was injured, police said.

A candle-light vigil organized by the community will take place 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eastman Park in Windsor.

The funeral will be held at Generations Church, 3 p.m. Friday at 3600 W. 22nd St. in Greeley followed by a brief reception. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday Sep. 8, at Lakeside Cemetery, 1525 South 9th Street, Canon City, with a brief reception to follow.

Brycen was a student at Frontier Elementary in Greeley, where Principal Bradford Every sent a letter to parents saying the school would have a "crisis response team" available for students and staff.

Death can be difficult for us to understand, especially when it is sudden. All of us will be feeling a variety of emotions: shock, sadness, or confusion. What is most important is that we care for and support each other. The Crisis Response Team has made plans to respond to the emotional needs of the students. Please let your child’s (teacher or counselor) know if there is any additional information the school should be aware of so we can provide the support your child needs. Any time death touches us, it is stressful. This sudden death may be disturbing to you as well as to your child. It is for this reason that we especially, want you to know of our care and support.

Every also attached a handout for parents called Helping Children Cope.

A statement from Generations Church thanked the community for support.

Generations Church is grieving along with Jimmy and Melissa Zerby, and family, the loss of their 8 year old son, Brycen, who passed away resulting from injuries from a tragic accident while Brycen and family were serving with Generations Church at the Windsor Harvest Festival Parade.

We are deeply saddened in our loss and sincerely grateful for your prayers, support, communication and interest, most importantly for the Zerby family, but also for our church and for those affected in the local communities we live in and enjoy. We love you and we need you.

The Weld County Coroner said Tuesday that the death was accidental, the Denver Post reported.

The popular Harvest Festival parade, was canceled as rescue workers tried to revive the boy. He was taken to UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies. He died soon after being taken to the hospital.

“The child and family are in our hearts right now," Windsor Police Chief Rick Klimek said in a statement from the Town of Windsor. "Windsor is a small, tight-knit community and we hope to protect the family’s privacy as they grieve the loss of their child."

Co-workers of Jimmy Zerby, father of Brycen Zirby at Clear Water Products in Greeley, started a GoFundMe account to raise money for the family.

"The Clear Water Products family would like to help support the Zerby family as they grieve the lost of their beloved 8 year old son, Brycen Zerby, today September 3, 2018, Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Zerby family," the GoFundMe account said.

Related: Colorado Child Dies After Being Hit By Parade Float

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