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St. James mourns Phillip Lutzenkirchen's death

Ethan Bernal
Montgomery Advertiser

More than the Auburn family felt the loss of former tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen on Sunday.

Lutzenkirchen — who died in a one-vehicle accident in Troup County, Georgia, early Sunday morning — also left his mark at St. James.

The 23-year-old former Tigers star helped coach St. James tight ends and fullbacks this spring and summer. He built a bond with the staff and players, namely tight end Jalen Harris, who committed to Auburn a week ago.

"I swear nobody can feel my pain right now. I loved this man so much, he was one of the best things that ever happened to me. RIP Coach Lutz," Harris tweeted after hearing the news.

Philip Lutzenkirchen, shown with St. James football coach Jimmy Perry, recently helped coach Trojans tight ends and fullbacks.

A memorial service will be held at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Ga., at 7 p.m. CDT Wednesday. The family will hold a visitation from 9:30 a.m.-noon Thursday at Transfiguration Catholic Church. A funeral mass will follow the visitation at Transfiguration.

St. James coach Jimmy Perry also weighed in after hearing the tragic news.

"It's tragic, terrible and the whole St. James football team and school is sad," Perry said. "I really feel for the parents of all the people involved in the situation. Life's precious. You have to take advantage of it. Don't take it for granted."

St. James Head of School Melba Richardson issued a statement on Monday.

"Phil displayed a maturity beyond his years. We looked forward to him coaching with our coaches this fall. He loved being a part of the St. James family and we will miss him terribly," Richardson said in the statement. "Our thoughts and prayers from the entire St. James community go to his family and friends as well as to the Auburn community. What a loss this is for so many people."

As word spread, more of Lutzenkirchen's friends offered their support. Former Auburn offensive lineman Lee Ziemba had planned to meet with Lutzenkirchen on Saturday night before a change of plans.

"We have been in contact with my friends all day and just staying close to loved ones," Ziemba texted. "We know Phil is in a much better place. He lived his life worthy of the call. We are the ones missing him, his friendship and brotherhood. The good news is we will be with him again praising the same savior he served every day he was here."

(Duane Rankin contributed to this report).