Reactions in the media to deaths of two LDS missionaries

The small town of Fairfield, Idaho, was especially quiet the day after Elder Derek Walker died while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Two missionaries were killed Tuesday in a hit-and-run accident in Donna, Texas.

KTVB.com reports that Walker's Camas High School athletic director Randy Jewett turned his classroom into a "makeshift memorial" for Walker with photos and his senior jersey.

“He was the perfect athlete. The kid loved playing sports, loved being here,” said Jewett, who coached Walker’s football team.

Family and friends in Utah reacted to the death of Elder Trevor Strong.

"He's an amazing kid and he would do anything to serve the Lord," said Brittany Harris in a Deseret News story. "That's what his focus was in life."

Harris and her twin sister, Brianne Bird, were close friends with Strong and were part of a group of friends who had a special bond.

On the Mormon Times Facebook page, Kristyan Dodge of Redmond, Ore., writes, "In my stake I've suggested that tomorrow the YSA and anyone else dress in Sunday best and have a missionary moment with friends and family as a way of remembrance for the two and as a tribute to the survivor."

The missionary who survived the accident, Elder Zachary Harris, 19, of Huntsville, Ala., spoke to KSL about his companions.

"To me, Elder Strong and Elder Walker were very strong examples of being representatives of Christ and they taught me. I only knew them for about a week, but in that short week, they become my brothers," Harris said.

KSL's Alex Cabrero reported that Harris will stay and finish serving his mission.