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Letter to the editor

Tragedy, money woes strike grieving family

Driving to an Arkansas funeral, two members die in a crash. Now the family needs help.

By BETH N. GRAY, Times staff writer
Published August 17, 2007

SPRING HILL - Gordon Dean Scudder, his sister Bonnie and their mother were headed to the funeral of a beloved family member last week when tragedy struck anew.

A mere 15 miles from their destination of Harrison, Ark., the trio were involved in a head-on collision in the town of Henderson, Ark.

Gordon Scudder, 40, and Bonnie Scudder, 45, both Spring Hill residents, were killed when a pickup truck crossed the center line of the highway and plowed into Gordon Scudder's 1994 Toyota, according to the Arkansas State Police. Their mother, Barbara Scudder of Clearwater, remains hospitalized. The driver of the other vehicle was treated at a local hospital.

The family, already in mourning, is devastated from both the shock of the accident and now by the financial impacts, said family friend Mary L. Scarff.

Scarff is in a unique position to try to find help for the distressed family. She is a long-standing member of the Christmas Angel Program, which helps people in need.

But Scarff acknowledges that even her group can't provide enough assistance by itself. She needs help from the community.

Funeral arrangements for Gordon Scudder are in limbo because of the family's stressed finances. The funeral home in Arkansas won't release his remains until it is paid $1,400.

"Our house is in foreclosure. We have no insurance that we're aware of. I need to come up with $1,400 to get my fiance back to Florida, then money to bury him," said Scudder's fiance, Michelle DeWitt, 37.

DeWitt usually is on the other end of these situations. Like Scarff, she is a longtime volunteer with the Christmas Angel Program.

DeWitt and Scudder's family includes their children Alicia Scudder, 14, Joey Scudder, 5, and Kevin DeWitt, 15.

"They are hoping to acquire a donated burial plot," Scarff said. To minimize other expenses, a graveside service is being considered instead of a full funeral. She is working with DeWitt to set up a trust fund at a local bank.

DeWitt explained the family's dire financial position. Gordon Scudder was an electrician with a New Port Richey contractor. With a downturn in home building, he was laid off in March, recalled briefly in June, laid off again in July and offered re-employment only three weeks ago. "We never had a full paycheck (all summer)," DeWitt said.

Until a trust fund is established, anyone wishing to help the family can call Scarff at 596-1552.

[Last modified August 16, 2007, 22:43:00]