RIPLEY — On Tuesday, July 21, the Ripley community came together to hold a vigil for the three victims of the Red Oak Creek floods.

Victoria Kennard, Gabriel Barrios and Rose Barrios lost their lives when the raging waters of Red Oak Creek carried the family’s double-wide trailer off its foundation and split it in two.

The vigil was held outside of St. Michael’s Church in Ripley.

Tony Barrios, fiance of Victoria and father to Gabriel and Rose, sat in the middle seat of three metal fold-up chairs, flanked by sons Nicholas and Marco. The three survived the flash flood.

Prayers were read by family members and St. Michael’s school Principal Mary Martin. A pair of songs were also played over the sound system, via an iPhone.

Once the prayer service was over, many of the more than 100 people assembled came up to Tony, Nicholas, Marco and other members of the Kennard family to give hugs and support.

Among those attending the vigil were Brown County commissioners Barry Woodruff and Daryll Gray.

Between three and four inches of rain fell Saturday night between 10 p.m. and midnight, according to the National Weather Service, leading to the flash flooding in Brown County.

Tony Barrios, middle, sits with his head bowed along with his two sons, Marco and Nicholas, at a vigil for his fiance Victoria Kennard, son Gabriel Barrios, and daughter Rose Barrios.
https://www.ripleybee.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_BarriosVigil-DanielKarell-.jpgTony Barrios, middle, sits with his head bowed along with his two sons, Marco and Nicholas, at a vigil for his fiance Victoria Kennard, son Gabriel Barrios, and daughter Rose Barrios.

Reach Daniel Karell at 937-378-6161. Follow him on Twitter @GNDKarell