From Deseret News archives:

Mourners reflect on crash victims

Group killed in Guatemala remembered for service

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 12:25 a.m. MDT
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When not with his family, Carter could be found in the outdoors, snowboarding, playing soccer or building something with his hands.

"He was one of those guys who can figure out just about anything," Porter said.

Also killed in the crash from the Focus group were Jeff Reppe and Lydia Silva from Illinois. Donations to their funds can be made at any Sauk Valley Bank in Illinois.

A fifth Focus employee, the group's chief operating officer, survived the crash and was in a Guatemalan hospital Tuesday with both his legs broken in multiple places. He has already had multiple surgeries, Porter said.

"He is very optimistic about his future, but his spirits are not high," he said.

Porter said the focus has been on the survivors, the victims and their families, and he has not talked yet with those who were on the plane about what happened.

Other reports through eyewitness and other accounts have started to come out. For many, like Winger, the details are hard to hear.

The Rabanales actually survived the plane crash, Winger said. But they were unable to get out of the plane before it exploded into a huge fireball.

The third Utahn killed in the crash was Liz Johnson, the expedition leader and wife of Chris Johnson, the acting leader of CHOICE.

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There were a total of 14 people on the plane, including the two pilots. Only three survived, including Dan Liljenquist of Bountiful.

Also killed were Roger Jensen and his son, Zachary, of Wisconsin. Jensen's 19-year-old daughter was one of the survivors.

The two pilots were also killed.

"Each of these individuals were remarkable people that were making significant contributions in each aspect of life. We are deeply deeply saddened by their loss and grateful for the legacy they left," Porter said.


E-mail: preavy@desnews.com

Recent comments

Also killed was Cody Ray Odekirk from North Ogden. He was an employee...

Anonymous | Aug. 27, 2008 at 8:56 a.m.

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Family photo

Javier and Walfred Rabanales, directors of CHOICE Humanitarian group in Guatemala, died in a plane crash Sunday.

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