The City of Troy lost one of its finest citizens this week with the death of Eric Mizell. He was 46. Oh, Lord, why do you take a young man away from us who was so worthy of a long life, who was a wonderful and devout husband and father of four precious children?

Eric was loved by so many friends and family.

When I heard the news on Tuesday morning I was crushed. I was with Eric on Friday at the Charles Henderson football game and we talked over and over about how proud he was to live in Troy and raise a family, to be coaching his twin boys in flag football and how he was looking forward to watching them develop.

He was so proud of his twin girls and was looking forward to watching them play basketball on the middle school team. Yes Eric and his beautiful wife Tiffaney were parents of two sets of twins, Cassidy and Kaley age 13 and Beau and Bryson age 11.

Eric always had that smile on his face when he would greet his friends. He was the kind of friend that would be there for you whatever the problem. I first met him when he came to Troy from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to play football.

He was here in 1991-1992 and was an outstanding player who could play several different positions. More than anything his leadership is what stood out the most. He was one of those men who people follow, and that remained the case throughout his many years at Troy Bank and Trust.

He never lost sight of who he was and where he came from.

A native of Lucedale, Mississippi, we talked about his parents on Friday night and how much fun it was growing up in a small town.

Eric Mizell was a strong supporter of Troy athletics and was one of the people that helped resurrect the T-Club. He took great pride in being a Trojan. He was a member of the Troy University National Alumni Board and a solid supporter of the public schools in our city.

We ask ourselves, why does our Lord do the things he does? Why would he break the hearts of those children and there mother and the hundreds more of the people that loved him?

We as Christians must all keep the faith even though sometimes we wonder why our Lord lets things like this happen. No one in this world can comprehend what the big picture looks like. Only God can do that. We’ll find out in heaven.

This wonderful family needs our love and support and if I know the people of Troy, they’re going to get it. I know this when I see those beautiful children and wonderful mother in years to come I will think about my dear friend Eric Mizell. I know he will be proud of them.