DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Family and friends gathered for a show of support, Wednesday night, for the family of a former school board member killed in a lake accident over the weekend.
Jim McMahan was killed and his daughter seriously hurt in a jet ski accident on an Alabama lake about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta.
Family and the community gathered at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, Wednesday night, to remember McMahan.
Amy Morgan, interim senior pastor at the church said they wanted to gather the community, so they could "show their love and support, and pray for the McMahan family."
"It's very important for people to be able to gather and share compassion their love for this family and lift that family in prayer," she said.
Morgan said several of the teens who attended dipped their hands in paint to place on a canvas that will be given to the McMahan family - a tangible display of the support.
"We are surrounding them with love and support, and they are appreciative of the love and support," Morgan said.
Photos: Community gathers to remember educator killed in lake accident
She said the sanctuary for Wednesday's vigil was full, "a testament to how much this family is loved and how much this community wants to be there for them."
Officials said McMahan and his family were at Lake Wedowee, about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta over the weekend. He and one of his teenage daughters were both on jet-skis when the two somehow collided. He was killed and his 17-year-old daughter suffered severe injuries, losing one of her legs.
Investigators are not yet releasing details about the cause of the collision or the exact cause of McMahan’s death.
McMahan served on the DeKalb School Board during one of the most troubled times in its history, helping to “right the ship” as one of his colleagues said on Monday.
When McMahan retired from the school board this past December, staffers played a tribute video to try to capture the joyous spirit of the man who helped save DeKalb County Schools.
McMahan was 53 years old, ran his own mortgage company, and continued to be involved in DeKalb County schools and the community since retiring from the school board.
He leaves his wife, two daughters and a legacy that will help DeKalb school children and their parents for generations.
The family issued the following statement earlier this week:
The McMahan family is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support the Lakeside and DeKalb community has shown us since this horrible tragedy. We ask that you keep our daughter and family in your prayers and thank you for respecting our privacy in this very difficult time
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