Patrick Roland Aragon

Jackson Boy Drowns At High Falls
Patrick Roland Aragon, 14, of Route 3, Jackson, drowned late Saturday afternoon when he dove off of Buck Creek Bridge into High Falls Lake in 14 feet of water and failed to reappear. Two companions playing and swimming with him also jumped from the bridge and when surfacing and not seeing the young boy, assumed that he had gone to his home nearby.
According to S. L. (Shorty) Letson, Park Superintendent at High Falls State Park, it was about midnight when anxious members of his family contacted him at his home. A hasty search for the youth at nearby cottages and cabins was futile but it was not until early Sunday morning that dragging operations at the lake were begun.
Supt. Letson said that the boy's body was recovered at 12:06 p.m. Sunday afternoon by him and Alfred Smith Goens Assistant Park Superintendent. Mr. Letson said that Stanley Harris and Ranger Pippin from the Monroe and Jones County units respectively of the State Game and Fish Commission joined in the search and that an area of the lake was dragged until about 10:30 Sunday morning. After members of the family learned the location of the point on the bridge from which the boy jumped with his two companions, the search operation continued shortly before noon. with Messrs. Letson and Goens recovering the body, clad only in cut off blue jeans and underwear, on the first drag.
Supt. Letson said that the body of the drowned victim was carried to Monroe County Hospital in Forsyth where Coroner T. E. Grubbs held an inquest. Mr. Letson said that the body was found in water approximately 14 feet deep about 12 feet below the bridge and that they had searched only 9-10 minutes before discovering it.
Mr. Letson said that the victim was considered a good swimmer and was at a loss to explain the cause of his death, unless he suffered a cramp while under water.
The young boy had completed the seventh grade at Spalding Junior High Unit III and had been promoted to the eighth grade.
Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Hazel Bloodworth Aragon, of High Falls State Park; father, W-4 Hugh J. Aragon, U. S, Army in Germany; a brother, Pepe Aragon of High Falls; a sister, Lisa Aragon of Griffin; three half brothers, Pfc. John HoItsclaw, U. S. Army, Ft. [rest is missing-DER]

(Jackson Progress Argus - 07 Jun 1973)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison