EVERETT — Brad and Melissa Agerup left big shoes to fill.
Hundreds of people trickled into the Mariner High School gymnasium on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the lives of the couple killed Nov. 29 in the deadliest drunken-driving crash in Snohomish County’s recent history.
Brad Agerup, 54, was a teacher and athletic trainer at the high school for more than 25 years. His wife Melissa, 48, worked at The Everett Clinic.
Their friends, Tom and Hilda Woods, also were killed in the crash on Highway 9. A memorial service for the Woods is planned for Tuesday in Redmond.
Prosecutors last week filed vehicular homicide charges against 27-year-old Matthew C. McDonald of Snohomish. McDonald allegedly had eight beers before he ran a stop sign and crashed into their car on Highway 9 at 108th Street NE near Marysville.
One week after the tragic accident, those gathered in the school gym felt the loss of Brad and Melissa Agerup. Friends talked about their big hearts, sense of humor and their love for daughters Kaitlyn, 16, and Sarah, 18.
Members of the school’s football team wore their jerseys to honor Brad Agerup.
“He treated his athletes like they were his own,” said Jim Whitesel, Brad Agerup’s friend of 37 years.
Whitesel is a former head trainer of the Seattle Seahawks. “Players would line up at home games just to get a touch of his magic hands,” he said.
Brad Agerup loved the Beatles and owned about every record the band ever released, Whitesel said.
Brad and Melissa Agerup made a great couple, friends said. They walked into people’s lives and changed them forever.
Melissa Agerup could make anybody laugh, friend and co-worker Katie Riehl said.
She talked about her daughters with unmistakable pride. She had strong faith.
“We shared the hope of knowing that this life isn’t all there is,” Riehl said.
Wendy Bruington, another friend and co-worker of Melissa Agerup, described her as a loyal person who spoiled people with fabulous desserts.
Her family was most important, Bruington said. She also enjoyed working at a community garden, harvesting fresh vegetables to give to food banks.
Mariner football coach John Ondriezek, a close friend of the Agerups, said Brad stayed loyal to the Washington State University Cougars no matter what.
He always helped students in need. He helped Mariner senior Kyle Johnson discover his passion for sports medicine.
“He was always there to support us,” Johnson said. “I still can’t believe he is gone.”
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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