SPOKANE, Mo. -- The Christian County coroner says the teenager who died on Wednesday after collapsing during a Spokane High School basketball team practice had a pre-existing heart condition and died of natural causes. The Christian County Sheriff's Department says the autopsy finding ended its investigation of the death of Forrest Varney, 17. Coroner Michael Ensign said Varney was born with the heart condition that caused his death.
School administrators said basketball coaches administered CPR on Varney after he collapsed about 7 a.m. An ambulance took him to a hospital in Springfield but doctors could not save him.
Spokane High School Principal Jim Millsap said Varney was a great student who always had a smile on his face.
Counselors were on hand at school Wednesday and Thursday to help students with the grieving process.
Funeral services will be Sunday afternoon. Adams Funeral Home says the visitation for Varney's family is set for 12:30 at the Spokane High School gymnasium. The funeral service will be immediately following at 1:30, also in the gymnasium.
Varney's family has asked, in lieu of flowers, for donations to be made to the Forrest Varney Memorial Scholarship Fund. The address for donations is 167 Kentling Ave, Highlandville, Mo. 65669.
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Here's an edited version of the obituary, as provided by the Spokane School District:
Forrest Robert Varney, 17, of Ozark passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. He was born Aug. 2, 1994, in Springfield, the son of Steven and Michelle Varney Ferrell.
Forrest was a junior at Spokane High School, where he was on the basketball team. He attended Spokane Baptist Church.
Forrest, loved by many for his smile and his sincerity, truly lived and loved life in each day. He shared great humor and heart, embracing all kinds of people. He liked to fish and hunt, street rods and old cars, racing and began swimming like a fish near as early as he learned to walk.
Forrest adored his two older sisters and was always prepared to be their fearless protector. He was in ROTC and had a dream to join the Army.
Survivors include: his mother, Michelle Ferrell and husband Jack, Ozark; his father, Steve Varney, Highlandville; two sisters, Stevie Varney and Paige Varney, both of Ozark; paternal grandparents, Robert and Beverly Varney, Ozark; paternal great grandmother, Mae Varney, Florida; his aunts and uncles, Bill and Tena Varney, Greg and Debbie Varney, Dawn and Kris Kramer, and Don Jr. and Lorrie Long, all of Topeka, Kansas; his fiancée, Reanna Winslow; and many cousins.
Forrest was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Don Long, Sr.
A funeral service will be at 1:30 Sunday in Spokane High School, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Randy Harwood and Erica Baxter officiating. Burial will follow in Highlandville Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 12:30-1:30 Sunday in Spokane High School immediately before the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Forrest Varney Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of Spokane School, 167 Kentling Ave., Highlandville, Missouri, 65669.
