A community in Northport, Alabama is mourning the loss of 10-year-old RJ Paulk Jr., who passed away following a swimming accident at a pool party on May 16, 2024. The incident occurred during a celebration for his youth baseball team, Warrior Baseball, at a private residence.
RJ, a fourth-grade student at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary, was found unresponsive in the pool around 6 p.m. Northport Fire Chief Bart Marshall reported that emergency crews arrived to find bystanders performing CPR. “It’s unclear how long RJ was underwater,” Marshall said. Despite efforts to revive him, RJ was taken to the Children’s of Alabama Hospital, where he remained in the intensive care unit until his death on May 21.
Nicole Paulk, RJ’s mother, described her son as “a wonderful, sweet boy who loved life, people, and animals.” She shared the profound impact of his loss, saying, “This is very traumatic. It’s like someone just ripped my heart out of me, and it’s a void that can never be filled.”
RJ’s father, Randall Paulk, spoke of his son’s big dreams of becoming a professional football player or a doctor. “He was a great kid, and I rarely had to discipline him,” Randall said. “He loved people and always tried to do everything right.”
Jared Case, RJ’s baseball coach, noted his selflessness, dedication, and strong faith. “His life looked a lot like Jesus because that was the One he loved, served, and followed,” Case said. “And now they are standing face to face.”
Warrior Baseball, the league RJ played for, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, expressing the collective sorrow of the community. “RJ was called home to the Lord earlier today,” the post read. “No words can adequately describe the profound loss felt by his family and everyone who knew him, though it is eased by the knowledge that he is now at home and at peace with God.”
The Northport community has been profoundly affected by RJ’s untimely death. Local organizations, schools, and sports teams have expressed their sympathies and are finding ways to honor his memory. Faucett-Vestavia Elementary, where RJ was a student, plans to hold a memorial event in his honor.
A GoFundMe page initially aimed at covering medical bills has now been redirected to support the family’s broader needs. Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and even strangers, the campaign has generated over $36,000, surpassing its initial goal.
“Through this tragedy, God is still working,” wrote Sarah Wright, the GoFundMe organizer. “The family finds comfort in knowing that being absent from the body means being present with the Lord.” RJ’s coach, Jared Case, added heartfelt words to the fundraising page about RJ’s character: “Lots of words I could use to describe him… Kind, sweet, humble, meek, selfless, loving, hardworking, disciplined, committed, teachable, funny.”
RJ’s parents, Randall and Nicole Paulk, have expressed deep gratitude for the support they have received during this difficult time.