BAKER — Connie Oglesby can’t help but smile when she thinks about her 11-year-old son Wyatt.
She recalls how much he loved his horse Jeffy, that cowboy hat he just had to have and the science fair trophy he brought home the day he died. But more than the fishing, the riding and academic success, she remembers her son’s unwavering belief in God.
“He has instilled faith in me and my husband that we’re going to get through this,” Connie said. “I feel like we’ve been pulled into God’s plan. I don’t know where he’s taking us, but he’s with us, no doubt.”
Read more about a fundraiser to build a new arena in Wyatt's memory. >>
Wyatt died June 5 in an ATV accident. In the ensuing days and weeks, Connie and her husband have heard countless stories about the lives Wyatt touched through his innate sense of caring and love for others.
“He paid attention to what was going on around him,” said Darren Williams, associate pastor to children at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church where Wyatt attended with his grandparents. “If somebody needed something, he always stepped up to meet that need.”
Wyatt’s faith leapt to the next level last spring when he and his family were introduced to Cross Creek Country Fellowship’s youth outreach program called Ropin’ the Truth.
The three-day-a-week after-school program allows students to learn about riding horses, roping cows and other outdoor activities as they talk about Jesus.
See Wyatt roping his first cow. >>
“He just came in and you’d of thought he’d been there right when it started,” said David Bracewell, the pastor who oversees Ropin’ the Truth.
Much of the program takes place in an arena made from two-by-fours. The first time Wyatt and his family attended Ropin’ the Truth, they learned the church was planning to build not only a multi-purpose facility at the site in Escambia Farms, but also a new arena.
See a poster for the rodeo. >>
Wyatt was enthusiastic and decided to set aside his allowance to donate to the project, Connie said.
The day the youth organization learned about his death, they knew they wanted to honor him by naming the new arena after him, Bracewell said.
About the time the church got the family’s blessing to name the arena after Wyatt, three people who knew the family well decided to organize a barrel racing and team roping event this weekend to raise money for the project.
Connie said she’s amazed to see all Wyatt has inspired, and hopes it’s only the beginning of his legacy.
“That’s what our message is this weekend: Don’t be afraid to show your faith in God,” Connie said. “Don’t be afraid to be Wyatt Strong.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.