The Gazette
he parents of an Air Force Academy freshman who died earlier this week remembered her Saturday as “a perfect daughter.”
Eric and Kelly Koonce put out an official statement about Cadet Avery Koonce through the Air Force Academy, calling her “an incredible bright light in this broken world.”
The Taylor, Texas, native was a track and field star and also participated in cross-country, powerlifting and cheerleading at Thrall High School, according the Taylor Press.
She was found unresponsive in her dormitory on Wednesday and life-saving measures were not successful. The cause of death is still under investigation.
Her parents said their lives would be forever diminished by her absence.
“Avery is truly loved by so many. We have peace in the knowledge Avery is in the arms of her Heavenly Father and we will be with her again,” they wrote. “Avery was not a perfect person but was a perfect daughter. Loving on her brothers and learning how to live with Avery’s loss is our only focus right now. We are beyond blessed for the 19 amazing years we got to call Avery ours. We are praying for all of those that are bearing the incredible darkness of her loss.”
The academy delayed the start of classes Thursday and made attendance optional, academy spokesman Jeff Troth said.
A full complement of support services including academy chaplains, mental health professionals, leaders and others are in place for cadets, faculty and staff, an official statement said.
