photo by: Contributed

Isaiah Ferguson

Friends and family are mourning after a Lawrence High School student unexpectedly died last week at a neighborhood pool in Olathe.

Isaiah Ferguson, 17, died on Saturday. Close friend Josh Lavin has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover expenses for a celebration of life service on June 21. As of Thursday morning, the fundraiser had surpassed its $10,000 goal, raising $11,042.

“Following his unexpected passing, I am hoping I can raise enough money to allow for his family to only worry about mourning and celebrating his life,” Lavin wrote on the GoFundMe. ” … Currently, the money is going to Isaiah’s step-father, Manuel Pino, who is working out the details for everything Isaiah will need.”

In addition to the fundraiser, the Lawrence High Marching Lions shared a link for members of the community to donate meals to his family.

A Facebook post from the Marching Lions said they “were saddened to learn of the passing of Isaiah Ferguson. He was a beloved member of the band community and will be greatly missed in the upcoming season and beyond.”

Lavin wrote on the GoFundMe page that Ferguson was “the most energetic, ambitious, and cheerful kid,” who would do “absolutely anything to make anyone laugh, or at the least, smile.”

“It’s impossible to put into words what kind of person he was, but the best way to describe him is that he made the world a better place for everyone around him,” Lavin wrote.

Ferguson was born in Olathe, and according to his obituary, he “had a gift for music and a heart for sports.”

“Entirely self-taught on piano at a young age, he went on to play clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, and mellophone in both jazz and marching bands at Lawrence High School,” the obituary said. “His dedication to his craft and his joy in performing were evident to all who heard him.”

Ferguson also excelled in the javelin and qualified for the state meet this year. More recently, he discovered a passion for bowling and had planned to join the Lawrence High bowling team this coming winter.

“To those who knew Isaiah, he was truly one of a kind,” his obituary said. “Affectionately known as a ‘gentle giant’ — a young man whose kindness, laughter, character and radiant presence made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”

The Olathe Police Department is currently investigating Ferguson’s death, according to a report in The Kansas City Star. Sgt. John Moncayo, a spokesperson for the Olathe police, told The Star that Ferguson was found unconscious at the pool and could not be resuscitated by first responders.

Amanda Pino, his mother, told The Star that the family believes a sudden medical event and subsequent drowning caused his death. She said Ferguson’s death was not suicide but likely an unknown health issue. Pino said she wanted the focus to be on her “amazing, gentle-giant, heart of pure gold son,” rather than on his death.

“I’ve been blown away at the so many lives of others he touched from so many different walks of life during his short time on earth,” Pino wrote in a text message to The Star.