Stuart Alan Variz

Stuart Alan Variz

October 14, 1985 - Anchorage, Alaska
November 15, 2002 - Redmond

'My son, our brother, best friend,
you are so loved and missed
We will be together again.'

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Me
Stuart
Rad cool fun smart
Love of family, cars and women
Who feels pain sorrow and joy
Who needs love, friends & positive reinforcement
Who fears death, smelly feet and tests
Who would like to see tomorrow
and the day after that
Resident of Redmond, Oregon
Variz

Stuart Alan Variz of Redmond died Friday in an automobile accident near Estacada. He was 17.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Assembly of God Church in Redmond with Chaplain Vern Arledge officiating.

Stuart was born October 14, 1985, in Anchorage, Alaska.

He was a student at Redmond High School.

Stuart enjoyed skateboarding. He sang back-up vocals in a local band.

He moved Central Oregon when he was 10 months old.

His survivors include:

Mother, Sharon Variz of Redmond

Brothers, Michael of Twenty-Nine Palms, California and Steven of Redmond

Sister, Melissa of Redmond

Grandfather, Charles Raine of Redmond

Step-grandfather and grandmother, Ron and Bunny Hulbert of Redmond

Great-grandmother, Freda Kerns of Redmond.

He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Variz.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Redmond Skate Park.

Autumn Funerals is in charge of arrangements.

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Killed in the same accident was his friend, Gillian Friend. They shared the same funeral service and are buried close together.

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Two RHS students killed in car crash
By Mike Cronin, The Bend Bulletin

Published: November 18. 2002

Redmond High School officials will have counselors available today to help students and staff cope with the deaths of two students killed Friday night in a vehicle accident.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Aaron Olson said Gillian Friend, 16, of Terrebonne and Stuart Variz, 17 of Redmond were traveling to Colton on Highway 211 about six miles south of Estacada about 7:45 p.m. in a 1990 Mazda pickup.

Friend, who was driving, failed to negotiate a curve and drove off the highway down an embankment. The truck hit several trees and caught fire, Olson said in a news release.

Friend was thrown from the truck.

Emergency rescue personnel removed Variz, who was wearing a seat belt, from the vehicle. Both teenagers died at the scene.

Witnesses told police the boys were traveling at a "high rate of speed," Olson said. But investigators have not yet determined the vehicle's speed. The accident remains under investigation. A medical exam will be conducted, Olson said, but the results won't be known for seven working days.

Lauren Roland, who taught Friend and Variz social studies, described them as "quiet," "understated" and "really nice kids."

"It's always pleasant to come in and know that you have those kinds of kids in class," she said. "I feel real sorry for the families and what they're going through."

Redmond students and teachers will be able to obtain counseling at the school today.

"Our heart goes out to the families," said Dan Purple, principal of the roughly 1,700-student high school. "Whenever you lose members of the student body, it's a difficult time for staff and students."

The tragedy is the second accident in several months to claim the life of a Redmond High student.

In August, Crooked River Ranch's Krystal Elizabeth Raines-Willhite, 17, who was set to enter her junior year, died in a crash at the intersection of China Hat and Knott roads.