Mom: Man who died in crane collapse quit school to help in Harvey cleanup
DICKINSON, Texas -- Blake Carlisle is a legend in his hometown of Dickinson. He was a standout football player for Dickinson High School with talent that earned him a scholarship to SMU. Now, he is being mourned.
The 20-year-old was killed during a crane collapse Wednesday in Galveston. He had left SMU to attend another college, but when Harvey hit, he came home to help his family recover from the devastating flood. He also took a job, and that's where the crane collapse occurred.
Angie Carlisle, Blake's mother, attended Friday night's high school football game. The team took a knee in his honor.
"A young girl came up and asked me if she could hug me. I told her yes and said we'd all get through this," she said.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Former football star killed in Galveston crane collapse
"He always said he wanted to succeed to take care of his family, including his mother and grandmother, as well as his brother and sister," recalled his mom.
He also added to his family with a wife who was his high school sweetheart. Nine months ago, they welcomed Blake Jr. into the world.
"He always said, 'Mom, I don't want to be the guy they talk about in the barbershop who wasted his talent,'" his mother said.
Harvey was a turning point in his life. His mother told him to stay where he was in school, but he insisted on returning home to help with repairs.
"After what we went through with the storm, he brought us back together again. That's what people tell me, and what I have to go by is the joy he brought to other people," she said.
She remembers her son for his happy nature and personality.
"He always had a smile and a joke," she said.
His funeral will be held next Saturday, and the church pews will be full of hometown friends and those he knew at SMU.
He will be buried in his high school jersey.
"Lucky 17," his mother said. "I never had a favorite number before. I do now."
