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Community Corner

Balloons Released in Honor of 16-Year-Old Alex Koser

Friends and family gathered in a Kroger parking lot to remember the life of Alex Koser, who passed away last week.

Tears and laughs were shared Thursday afternoon as family and friends gathered at the Kroger parking lot in Windward Commons to participate in a balloon release to honor the life of 16-year-old Alex Koser.

Koser, who was tragically killed in his Milton home on Sunday, Feb. 12, was a student at Alpharetta High School and many of his fellow classmates showed up to pay their respects.

Xavier Williams, a junior, had two classes with Alex and said that he was a good person.

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“I hope he is doing good and is in a better place,” says Williams.

Koser’s mother, Patricia Brandon, and his aunt, Camille, are employees at the Kroger supermarket.

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“Patricia and Camille are so special to us and we wanted to do something to honor Alex’s memory,” said store manager Stephen Curl.

Before the balloons were released-many of which were adorned with personal messages-several people who were close to Alex spoke to the crowd.

Rodney Cook met Alex three years ago and had been his mentor for more than two years. He encouraged students to be strong and made them laugh with funny stories and memories of Koser.

“A lot of you remember Alex, how happy he was. He kept a smile on his face and you all know he liked to party like a rock star and so that’s what we’re gonna do. When we release these balloons were gonna party like a rock star.”

“Keep your head up,” Cook continued, “Yes, this is a sad occasion. Yes, it hurts. Yes, there’s a lot of anger, but let it go. God will take care of all if it. God is not going to put more on any of us that we cannot handle. We can handle this. We can. I’ve been around this family for the past two and a half years. This is a very strong family.”

Julie Loehr was Alex’s pastor at World Harvest Church and offered prayer and spiritual guidance to the crowd.

“The family is being so strong and it is so nice of Kroger to do this for the kids, families and the community,” said Loehr.

Alex’s youth pastor, Jeff Bromer, saw him just two days before he died.

“Alex was very active and just an amazing young man,” said Bromer, “These last three months he really made a solid commitment to be the best he can be. He was very expressive and always smiling.”

Tax deductible contributions can be made to the Alex Koser Memorial Fund at World Harvest Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 at  Woodstock First Baptist Church. The family will be having viewing hours from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors in Roswell.

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