Granbury High School choir director, Azle music teacher die in crash

GRANBURY, Texas - Family, friends, and students are mourning the weekend deaths of two music teachers. Their vehicle crashed west of Weatherford Sunday morning.

State troopers said Jeremy Bowen, 28, was driving a car that went off an embankment and into a ravine along Interstate 20. It's unclear why.

Bowen and his girlfriend, 26-year-old Ashley Morrison, both died in the crash.

Bowen was an accomplished musician. It was at Tarleton State University where he met Morrison. Friends say music and their kindred hearts brought them together.

“Jeremy and Ashley were completely woven through every fiber of this community,” said Pastor Justin Jeter with the First Christian Church of Granbury.

Bowen was the choir director at Granbury High School and at the middle school before that. The school district says students and staff are heartbroken. Some wore their choir shirts in remembrance. The couple used their musical talents in church, too.

“They were wonderful apart, but amazing together,” said Alexandria Smith, Bowen’s best friend. “Both such kind-hearted people. They gave all they had to help people and inspire people with music. It’s what drew them together.”

The circumstances of the accident are still unclear. DPS says the couple’s car lost control and crashed into a ravine. A state trooper discovered the accident scene on I-20 around 8 a.m. Sunday.

The couple served in the music ministries at First Christian Church in Granbury and Acton United Methodist Church.

“The vigil last night started in a very distinct sound of silence,” said Amy Piatt with First Christian Church of Granbury. “The absence of music, I think, is the hardest reality so far to face and what a tremendous loss.”

DPS says a preliminary report is that fatigue may have caused the crash but say they may never know what happened. The service Friday is at 2 p.m. at Acton United Methodist Church.

Granbury High School Principal Jeremy Ross released the following statement:

“Our hearts are broken with the news of Mr. Bowen’s passing. He was a talented musician and an integral part of our Granbury choral program both as a director and accompanist for many years. I know he was also involved as music director at First Christian Church and as a music director and instrumentalist at the Granbury Opera House. He will be missed by his students and fellow teachers both at the high school and Granbury Middle School as well as by friends here in GISD and elsewhere throughout the community. We will provide counselors for our students and staff as long as necessary."

Granbury ISD says students in grades 6-12 will have an early dismissal Friday so they can attend a joint service for the couple.

Morrison was also a music teacher at an elementary school in Azle, northwest of Fort Worth.