The River Ridge Hawks athletic community is mourning the loss of Julie Horner, a coach and parent of a River Ridge cheerleader who passed away unexpectedly during national championships in California over the weekend.
“She was such a special part of the Hawks community for many years — not only as a dedicated coach and proud parent, but as someone who truly showed up. She helped on the sidelines, supported our kids, and always wore the biggest smile,” the Thurston County Youth Football League — River Ridge Hawks said of Horner in a social media post on Monday, Feb. 23. “Her presence brought warmth, encouragement, and light to so many. She will be deeply and truly missed.”
Horner graduated from River Ridge High School in 2001, according to her Facebook profile.
She and her family were in Anaheim, California attending a national high school cheerleading championship when Horner died suddenly in the early hours of Saturday, Feb. 21.
She was 42.
Her community is crowdfunding to help bring Horner back to Washington and to help support her husband and two kids.
The fundraiser had raised $11,880 as of Tuesday afternoon.
For more information or to donate, visit https://gofund.me/c6394666e
Julie Horner’s husband, Jon Horner, posted an update to social media on Tuesday that he and his family were on their way home.
“The outpouring of support and love that has been showered upon us during this challenging time has been truly awe-inspiring, a testament to the incredible community that surrounds us,” Jon Horner wrote.
Total Sports Development in Yelm, which had two cheer teams competing at nationals in California alongside River Ridge Hawks Cheer over the weekend, expressed their condolences.
“Our hearts are with her family, teammates, and the entire Hawks cheer community during this heartbreaking time,” Total Sports Development said Monday in a social media post.
