Gardner Edgerton crossing guard who died after getting hit by car ‘touched so many’

A Gardner Edgerton school district crossing guard who was struck by a car while on the job about two weeks ago has died, according to officials.

Dave Peavy was struck by a car the morning of Feb. 23 at the intersection of Madison and Buckeye streets near Gardner Edgerton High School and Madison Elementary School.

No charges have been filed, and officials believe the situation was an accident. The driver told authorities the sun got in his eyes as he approached, and he didn’t see Peavy enter the intersection.

Gardner police referred all questions about the incident to the city spokesperson, who stated the Johnson County Medical Examiner is investigating the cause of death.

‘Gardner Loves Dave’

Since the accident, more than 1,000 community members have joined a Facebook group called “Gardner Loves Dave” to honor Peavy and share memories of the longtime school crossing guard.

Jason Peavy, who said he was Dave’s grandson, wrote on the page that his grandfather was a Vietnam War veteran who collected quarters and owl knickknacks. Most of all, he said Dave loved to crack jokes and make people smile.

“He loved with his whole being, unapologetically, people of all walks of life, even those he did not understand,” Jason wrote. “There was never doubt of if he was proud of me, if he loved me, if he would approve of this or that; he always saw the best in people, always met them with kindness, always did everything he could to help those around him in any way possible.”

Others didn’t know Dave Peavy personally, but said he smiled and waved at everyone who passed the schools, telling them to have a great day.

“His kindness has touched so many,” wrote Sara Stults, “has brought countless smiles and made days brighter for all who saw him.”

Angel Christensen, a neighbor of Peavy’s, wrote that he always made her feel welcome. He always checked on her, cut her branches after storm damage, shoveled her snow, shared stories and brought Christmas presents, she said.

Before Peavy’s death, Christensen posted ways the family asked community members to help, including making donations in his name to the American Legion LeRoy Hill Post #19 in Gardner, or to local food pantries or local Boy Scout troops. Christensen also suggested calling Gardner Utilities to pay overdue bills, paying off school district meal accounts, donating books to the Birch Street Little Free Library or donating, fostering or adopting animals at Always and Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary.