Kansas City Mourns the Sudden Loss of Lucas Ball, Beloved New Mark Middle School Student

Kansas City Mourns the Sudden Loss of Lucas Ball, Beloved New Mark Middle School Student

KANSAS CITY, MO — October 13, 2025 — The community of Kansas City, and more intimately, the halls of New Mark Middle School, are in mourning following the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Lucas Ball, a student whose warmth, kindness, and vibrant spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

Lucas’s unexpected passing has sent waves of grief through classmates, teachers, staff, and families across the school and the surrounding community. Just 13 years old, Lucas was described by those close to him as a young man with a natural gift for bringing joy into every room he entered. He was known for his quick humor, big heart, and unwavering willingness to help others — qualities that defined his short but deeply impactful life.

According to school officials, the circumstances of Lucas’s passing remain private out of respect for the family’s wishes, but the community has rallied in support of one another, creating a network of remembrance and healing as they face this unimaginable loss.

A Bright Light in the Classroom and Beyond

At New Mark Middle School, Lucas was more than just a student. He was a friend, a team player, a source of encouragement, and often, a much-needed laugh during stressful days.

“Lucas had a way of making everyone feel included,” said Mrs. Denise Carpenter, his sixth-grade teacher. “He didn’t care who you were — if you were having a bad day, he noticed. And he tried to make it better. That’s the kind of heart he had.”

Teachers recall Lucas as a curious and enthusiastic learner, always ready with a question or a thoughtful comment. Outside of class, he participated in school clubs and events, often volunteering to help set up or support his peers.

“He was the kind of kid who would stay behind to clean up after an event without being asked,” said Mr. Brian Porter, the school’s assistant principal. “You don’t teach that — that comes from who he was at his core.”

A Kindness That Reached Everyone

The impact of Lucas’s kindness extended far beyond his own group of friends. Tributes have poured in from classmates who say he was the first to sit with someone new, the first to stand up for someone being treated unfairly, and the first to offer a helping hand.

“He once gave me his gloves in the winter when I forgot mine,” shared a fellow student, tearfully. “He said his hands could handle the cold, but mine couldn’t. I never forgot that.”

Counselors and grief specialists have been made available on campus to help students process their emotions. Memorial walls and tribute tables have been set up throughout the school, filled with handwritten messages, drawings, and small items that reflect Lucas’s favorite things — a reflection of how deeply he connected with those around him.

Family and Community Support

The Ball family, heartbroken but grateful for the overwhelming support, released a brief statement:

“Lucas was our joy — kind, funny, and full of life. The love this community has shown reminds us just how much of an impact he made in his short time here. We ask for privacy as we grieve, and we thank you for holding Lucas in your hearts.”

A public memorial gathering is being planned in the coming days to celebrate Lucas’s life. Details will be shared through the school district and community bulletins. The event is expected to bring together classmates, teachers, family, and neighbors to honor the beautiful soul Lucas was and the legacy of kindness he leaves behind.

In partnership with the Ball family, New Mark Middle School is also exploring the creation of a “Lucas Ball Kindness Award,” to be given annually to a student who exemplifies the generosity, empathy, and spirit of community that Lucas modeled so effortlessly.

Remembering Lucas

In a time marked by uncertainty and hardship, the loss of a child like Lucas Ball feels especially painful — a reminder of how fleeting and fragile life can be. But even in this grief, the community finds solace in the undeniable truth that Lucas made a difference.

His life, though far too brief, was one of purpose. A young boy with a big heart who didn’t need years to make an impact — just a smile, a kind word, and a spirit that lifted others.