Three married couples killed in the crash of a small airplane in Alabama all lived in the university town of Oxford, Mississippi, where city flags are lowered today, according to BellinghamHerald.com.

The Tuscaloosa plane crash which killed six people on August 14, included four members of the dental community and ranks among the worst aviation accidents in the state’s history, according to a report for AL.com by William Thornton. Three couples, who had attended a dental conference in Florida, left a total of 11 children behind.

“According to the Oxford Eagle, among the deceased are Dr. Jason Farese and his wife, Lea, both dentists, a family member and employee of Dr. Farese has confirmed with The EAGLE. The Farese’s leave three children behind, ages 10, 7, and 5. The youngest just started kindergarten this week….

Dr. Michael Perry, a periodontist, and his wife Kimberly, who is nurse, and Dr. Austin Poole and his wife Angie, were also on the plane, the Eagle reported. The Pooles had five children.

Terry Lloyd, director of aviation for Kissimmee Gateway Airport, said it’s his information that the three couples had been in Florida for a medical convention.”

The Clarion-Ledger described  past kindnesses of the departed:

“Dr. Michael Perry and his wife Kim Perry were the kind of people who took care of a widow and her nine children when they’d never met them. He sent his employees on vacation to Destin, Florida, every year and paid for the whole trip.

Dr. Austin Poole commuted to Clarksdale from Oxford every day, and he would often discount procedures for people he knew might not be able to pay the entire bill. His wife Angie Poole was cheerful and friendly, and both were well-liked in the Clarksdale community.

Dr. Jason Farese, a former Vanderbilt University baseball player, and his wife, Dr. Lea Farese, met in dental school in Jackson and were known as fun-loving and generous. They were well-loved by the Oxford community, as well as their hometowns of Ashland and Pearl.”

For the complete story, visit:  https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/08/authorities_on_scene_of_fatal_1.html