HOUSTON - Along Buffalo Bayou dozens of friends and family gathered Wednesday evening to pay tribute to 36 yr-old Jason Boyle, who died kayaking Friday.
"Jason was a great guy. Everybody that knew him, I mean you can tell by how many people showed up tonight. He touched their lives," said Dustin Jones, a close friend of Boyle.
Jones and Boyle worked together as bartenders in Midtown for the past ten years.
At the vigil there were decorated kayaks, filled with flowers and candles surrounding a picture of Jason.
"My son was a wonderful young man from the day he was born. Fun loving. My little Evil Knievel that did all these daring things his whole life," said Joanne Moudik, Boyle's mother.
Boyle was with his girlfriend and dog last Friday night, when his kayak tipped over. His girlfriend made it to safety but he did not. After three days, a Texas Equusearch team found his body near the spot he went under.
"He died having fun and doing what he loved best," said Moudik. It was a reminder to live life to the fullest, but a lesson it can be as unpredictable as the bayous Jason loved so much.
"This is not some little creek that runs through our little town. It's a river and it moves fast and it's dangerous," said Jones.
But that didn't stop Jason's best friends from taking off at sunset, towing his kayak along for one last paddle, amidst floating candles and flowers from loved ones.
"Means a lot to all of his friends. All the people that knew him and loved him," said Jason's friend Chance O'Dell. The show of support comforted the mourning family.
"Wonderful tribute on the bayou to my son. It's just been beautiful," said Moudik.
