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Community rallies around family of Mason Newton after 4-year-old’s sudden death

Posted at 6:40 PM, Apr 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-21 20:45:08-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A Chesterfield community is rallying around the family of four-year old Mason Newton, a superhero fan who passed away in his sleep Wednesday morning after complications from a respiratory illness.

Mason's father, Rob, posted the heart wrenching news on Facebook Wednesday.

"It's with an immensely heavy heart that I share that our sweet and happy boy Mason left this world peacefully in his sleep only 2 weeks after his 4th birthday," Rob Mason wrote.  "For those of you who had the privilege of knowing Mason you'll surely agree that his energy was infectious, his kindness endless, and his eyelashes so long they made all the ladies jealous. Our precious precious boy will be deeply missed by us. Thank you to all of our family and friends who are supporting us during this difficult time."

Mason fell ill with a respiratory problem Tuesday, according the family's pastor.  His parents took him to the hospital for treatment twice and were so concerned about him that his mother slept by his side that night, the pastor said.  When the family woke Wednesday morning, Mason had passed away in his sleep.

"Mason was full of life.  He always made people laugh, he was fun to be around, he loved superheroes," said James Brummett, the pastor at Journey Christian Church who has been with the Newton family since Wednesday.  "As you can imagine there are moments when emotions over come them. They have a great thought and that leads to the stinging nature of all this."

Brummett said the Newtons were not fully aware of the community support they have received.  More than 200 people gathered outside their home Wednesday night to celebrate Mason's life and support the family.  Hundreds of candles were left of their front porch and a Captain America balloon hung on their mailbox.

"They've got a lot of family and friends in their church family and their neighborhood that are going to stand by them and help. I can't think of another word to say, because what do you do?" asked neighbor Brad Harolds, who attended the vigil.

Pastor Brummet had the answer to that question.

"Whenever there is a loss in a family like this so many times people stop saying the person's name. If you're a parent you want to hear your kid's name, so we're going to talk about Mason," Brummett said.  "That's not going to be a person we forget and a name we don't say."

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Commonwealth Chapel. That's located at 3505 Old Hundred Road South in Midlothian, VA, 23112.

The Newtons said Mason loved his pre-school group at Journey Christian Church.  They are asking anyone wishing to make donations to the family to give to the church's Waumba Land program in order to "provide funding for the materials and resources to allow other children Mason's age to enjoy & benefit from the program."

Click here to make a donation to the family.

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