I don't know these people, but Gateville certainly has had more than its share of tragedy lately.

The news said the families youngest son was killed in the explosion and the father and other son are both in burn unit.

Facebook said he was from Cameron, and he and his wife both used family pictures with all the kids.

I don't know what happened, but this family certainly needs prayers.

3rd,

I do not know Coach Balch either, but I know his sister and parents. They are some of the greatest people you will ever meet. This is a horrible tragedy. Everyone please pray for the Balch family.

Times like these remind us to all huge our children a little more and tell them you love them.

More on the news 10 website.

It seem father ran INTO the fire to get the boys out. Explosion in the garage. I have a horrible fear they were playing with matches with either gasoline or charcoal fluid close by. I hope not


Dad is in critical condition. Such is a father's love.

sad, saw it on the news earlier. we just had our first child, and i cant even begin to fathom something like that.

One of the comments on the kwtx site said it was a gas water heater that exploded. I don't know if that is the case or not

I can't imagine the courage it took to run INTO that fire to get to his boys.

He apparently (Eric Balch) grew up in Cameron, but I've never heard of him. That's probably the Cameron connection in the news story.

Sad, sad story.

Jan,

Coach Eric Balch did grow up in Cameron and is a Yoe High graduate. His sister, Wendy Balch Mahan is a teacher at one of the schools in CISD. His parents are Tank and Kathy Balch. They own and operate a welding shop in Cameron. I believe Tank and Kathy are from Rockdale originally.

While I don't know Coach Balch, I do know his sister, and parents. They are all some of the best people you will ever meet so I can only assume that Coach Balch is a great person as well. I can't imagine what he and his family are going through at this time with the loss of their son/grandson Mason. My heart goes out to them. All I can say is that God must have needed another little angel to help him out up in heaven and decided Mason was the best person for the job. God bless the family.

I've known Eric for a little over a year now, and he's a fantastic person and a great coach. Just last week he was talking of how he really loved the kids in La Vega, and how excited he was for the upcoming year....the event of Saturday is one of the most horrifying stories I've ever heard.

He is still at Parkland hospital with burns over 35+% of his body. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.





[This message has been edited by WestTexasAggie98 (edited 7/21/2010 9:08a).]

We will, and please keep us posted with how he and his surviving son are doing. The news will drop the story long before the need for prayers goes away.

As it turns out, his entire family attends the church I grew up in (I really didn't recognize his name, but know his family).

My mom is going to visit his grandmother today, so I'll update you on how Eric is doing, also.

[This message has been edited by janag81 (edited 7/21/2010 10:17a).]

Thanks Jan. This story just breaks my heart.

...Eric had surgery today on his hands whereby they performed a skin graft from his thigh...Surgery went very well by all accounts...They worked on his hands first, as they will be used most during his rehab...

They plan on keeping him on the ventalator for another week...

Lots of activities planned for this week to support this family..Please do try to attend or at the least go give blood!

Cade is doing good and is still in the hospital up in Dallas at Parkland...



[This message has been edited by WestTexasAggie98 (edited 7/21/2010 4:01p).]

Ditto what WestTexas said, although I think Cade is having some issues, so pray for the little boy.

Pray for this family.

All are injured. There is no way mom and the sisters are not in emotional pain I just can't even comprehend.

I will keep praying for them.

Due to the tragedy, several blood drives and benefits have been organized in the area.

A fund for the Balch family has been established at First National Bank in Gatesville. Checks can be sent to Balch family fund, Box 659, Gatesville, TX, 76528. A 2nd fund has been set up at Buckholts State Bank in Cameron, Buckholts, or Rogers.

A garage sale will take place today at Gatesville Church of Christ, with all proceeds benefitting the Balch family.

A prayer service for the family is set for this Saturday, July 24th, at 7:30p.m. on the south side of the Gatesville Courthouse.

The Cameron community is invited to meet for a Prayer Gathering for the Balch family on Saturday, at 7:30pm on the square in downtown Cameron at the flag pole across from City Hall.

Blood drives are also scheduled Saturday at the Masonic Lodge on Highway 317 and 4th Street in Crawford and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Richland Mall in Waco.

The Waco Donor Center at 4332 West Waco Drive is open Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

On Saturday, friends plan a benefit carwash starting at 9 a.m. at Express Car Care in Gatesville.

On Monday, a blood drive will be held at Gatesville High School in the old gym from 10AM-4PM.

From 11-2PM on Monday, if you eat lunch at Gatesville`s Prima Pasta near the Best Western, a $6 lunch of Lasagna, salad, bread and tea will send 100% of the proceeds to the Balch family.

On Sunday August 8th friends will host a Bar-B-Que lunch and silent auction at the Coryell Activities Complex on Main Street starting at 11am.

Locally in Cameron, a benefit is being scheduled. Details are forthcoming.



[This message has been edited by Crusaders41 (edited 7/22/2010 7:33a).]

Eric was released from the hospital yesterday and will remain in Dallas for several weeks for physical therapy etc. A private family memorial was held today for little Mason. On Sept. 12 there will be a bar b q fundraiser and auction held at the Catholic church in the Marek community outside of Cameron. Please continue to pray for this entire family.