DOWNEY - Downey resident Jared Thomas passed away at Arkansas Childrens Hospital on June 10. Thomas, 17, had been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Beebem Ark. on the evening of May 4.He sustained major head injuries in the accident and had been in a coma since. Thomas was just finishing his sophomore year at Warren High School and was actively involved in baseball, most recently playing for the La Mirada Kings traveling baseball team. Thomas is survived by his parents Dean and Maureen; grandmother, Charlene Thomas; aunt and uncle, Tomi and Arthur Evans; and cousins, Emily, JoAnna, Jessica and Ashley Evans. He is also survived by local residents Mac and Marcus Olbera and Peter Thomas. A funeral service was held in Arkansas on June 17 at Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock. A memorial celebration will be held in Downey on July 2, beginning at 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Downey. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Smile Train, a charity to repair children born with cleft palates, at smiletrain.org/goto/jaredthomas.

********** Published: June 26, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 10