Mourners united in sorrow for 'TK' (From thisisoxfordshire)

Mourners united in sorrow for 'TK'

9:30am Saturday 24th July 2010

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THEY came in their hundreds to remember TK – described by his friends last night as “one in a million”.

Mourners dressed in all colours and filled every pew in St Mary’s Church in Kidlington yesterday, as they celebrated the life of their friend, Oxford United fan Tom Kahl.

The 18-year-old of Yarnton Road, Kidlington, was riding his bike when he died in a crash with a Range Rover on the A4260, near Thrupp, just after midnight two weeks ago.

His friends, who called him TK, watched as his blue and white coffin emblazoned with the Oxford United logo, slowly left the church to Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven.

Standing in the churchyard as his body was laid to rest, they gathered to remember their friend and the good times they had all shared.

Sam Sweeney, 18, of Park Avenue, Kidlington, said: “We went to McDonald’s once and he ate a whole McFlurry in 11 seconds. He had the worst brain freeze ever. He made people laugh so much.

“It’s such a big hole to fill. I know the term ‘one in a million’ is overused, but it’s the only way to describe him.”

Ellis Connelly, 20, of Roundham Close, Kidlington, said: “I will still wait for the text on Sunday evenings asking me to play football on the astro, and the texts on Friday night, to say ‘Are you coming to town?’”

Friend Gareth Davies, 18, of Croxford Gardens, Kidlington, said he had known the Gosford Hill pupil and Kidlington Exiles player since their first year at primary school. He said: “I will miss his smile.”

Charlotte Jacquest, 18, from Bicester Road, Kidlington, said: “Paris, I will remember Paris, we went on a school trip in 2008.

“He was absolutely brilliant, no one has ever made us laugh so much.

“He was always so happy, he was just a legend. We saw him every day, it’s just so sad.”

Ben Palmer, 18, of Crotch Crescent, Marston, said: “When we were younger, about 13, we always used to go ice skating on Friday nights and we all got the bus together.

“He was not good at it bless him, always falling over, but it didn’t stop him having a good time.

“He will leave a big dent, I don’t think anyone could have ever said a bad word about him.”

Rev Jennifer Brown, who led the service, said Tom’s life was full of good things.

She told the congregation: “He was able to take life as it came and he had a very laid back attitude, but that gave Tom the ability to enjoy life moment by moment.

“He didn’t spend it worrying about what tomorrow would bring.”

His parents Jacqui and Graham, said: “Sadly he will never really know how much he is missed by his family and friends but he will always forever be in their hearts and thoughts.”

The congregation left donations for a park bench at Benmead Park in memory of Tom.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk A Kidlington man is on bail after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

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