He has unshakeable faith.
A Texas pastor is mourning the untimely death of his 18-year-old son, Grant Herridge, who lost his life after slipping and falling from a 50-foot waterfall at Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park, Washington. The accident happened during a celebratory trip following his high school graduation. Witnesses reported seeing Grant fall while walking on rocks near the falls. His body was later recovered by rescue crews, and the area was temporarily closed for the recovery effort.
Grant had a strong passion for nature and adventure, and the national park trip was part of a larger plan to visit several parks across the country. Pastor Brad Herridge, who leads Ocker Brethren Church in Temple, Texas, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his son. He shared that while the family is devastated, they have found comfort in the outpouring of love and support from their local community. He emphasized that his son passed away doing something he deeply enjoyed.
The Herridge family—Brad, Mary, and their daughter Lucy—has leaned on faith and community during this painful time. Pastor Herridge reflected on how the compassion they’ve received has reinforced his belief in the presence of God’s love during moments of tragedy, something he has often preached about. The family’s church and wider circle of friends have rallied to support them as they navigate their grief.
Grant was a graduate of Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco, where he was admired for his kindness, optimism, and strong character. The school paid tribute to him, describing his influence as that of a lighthouse—guiding and uplifting others with joy and inclusivity. They highlighted his inspiring outlook on life, quoting from his writings that encouraged love and positivity.
Set to enroll at Baylor University in the fall, Grant had planned to follow in his parents’ footsteps. In his memory, the university has created the Grant Herridge Memorial Scholarship. Baylor officials expressed their deep condolences and shared their prayers for the Herridge family, recognizing the profound impact Grant had already made and the bright future that was tragically cut short.