Families celebrate Tyler Spann Water Safety Awareness Day after tragic drowning

LEXINGTON, Tenn — “He was a loving person,” said Tyler Spann’s father, Kimmy Spann.

On June 19, 2018, Tyler Spann, of Henderson County, drowned while swimming in Panama City Beach. Now, his family is doing their best to move forward.

“Even though it’s been one year, it feels like it was just yesterday that this happened,” Spann said.

Kimmy Spann said his son Tyler was loved by many people. Instead of mourning his tragic death, they hope to inspire change in his honor.

“That made me feel like we’re accomplishing something with the Tyler Spann Foundation,” Spann said.

The Tyler Spann Foundation aims to raise money for a college scholarship for one student in Tyler’s class.

Depending on how much money they raise, they hope to help even more students.

The Spann family said June 19th will forever be a day to remember Tyler and also an official day to help others.

June 19 has been named Tyler Spann Water Safety Awareness Day.

Family members of Renny Salazar, another young man who recently drowned, also showed their support.

“Returning to the place where he died is painful because it’s remembering again that horrible day that we lived through,” said Maylin Silva, a relative of Renny Salazar.

“But you know, as time goes on, so does the healing,” Spann said.

The Spann family encourages anyone to donate to the Tyler Spann Foundation at any FirstBank in West Tennessee.