Trumann teen dies of gunshot wound

Trumann coaches Greg White and Skip Dulaney are, along with students, still in shock over the death of Taylor Wayne McPhearson, 16, of Trumann. McPhearson, a popular student and promising athlete for the Wildcats, was killed Friday, Nov. 27, while hunting near Jackson, Tenn.

According to a report from the Madison County Sheriff's Department, McPhearson left ahead of other family members to go hunting. Approximately 10 minutes later, McPhearson's grandfather discovered him on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. The wound is believed to have been caused by a shot from McPhearson's .22 caliber rifle, which was found on the ground near him.

McPhearson was taken to a local hospital before being transported to The Med in Memphis, where he later was pronounced dead.

"We are really devastated by it," said White, who coached McPhearson in football this past season. "He was injured quite a bit, but he did a good job for us when he was able to play."

McPhearson, who was born in Jonesboro, had spent virtually all his life in Trumann. A 10th grader, the teen loved hunting, fishing, football and basketball.

"Taylor was a great kid," said Dulaney, the Wildcats' head basketball coach. "He played the other night and did really well. I think he had a bright future in basketball."

Taylor McPherson drives the ball to the basket during Trumann High School's game against Marked Tree on Tuesday. McPherson, 16, died Friday. (Democrat Tribune / Miranda Remaklus)

McPhearson was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Trumann. Services were held Tuesday in the Trumann Intermediate School Auditorium with Rev. Austin Missey officiating. Burial followed in Macedonia Cemetery at Jonesboro.

White and Dulaney, as well as other coaches and some of his teammates, served as pallbearers.

"Next season we were looking for him to be our number two or three receiver," concluded White. "He was a good football player and a good young man. We'll definitely miss him."

"He worked hard every day and always seemed to have a great attitude," Dulaney said. "Right now his teammates are in shock. I don't think it's really set in what has happened. I've never dealt with anything like this myself. It's a tough situation. He's going to be sorely missed."

Survivors include his parents, Greg McPhearson of Trumann and Stacy Nance Brooks and husband Terry of Bay; two sisters, Skylar Byerly of Bay and Abby Hatcher of Trumann; two brothers, Morgan Snow of Bay and Gary Austin White of Trumann, and grandparents, Barry and Sharon Morgan of Trumann, Bobby and Alice McPherson of Trumann and Jerry Nance of Evening Shade.

An online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.