Aidan Heartfield’s childhood artwork found after Texas floods serves as a symbol of remembrance.
BEAUMONT, Texas — In the wake of devastating floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country over the July 4 weekend, a small but powerful symbol of remembrance has emerged from the wreckage: a piece of childhood artwork by Aidan Heartfield, the 22-year-old Beaumont man who was recovered after the tragedy.
The handprint turkey drawing, made by a young Aidan, was found about a mile downstream from the destroyed home in Hunt, where Aidan and several friends were staying when floodwaters overwhelmed the area.
“This isn’t just any turkey,” the poem on the artwork reads. “As anyone can see. I made it with my hand, which is a part of me. It comes with lots of love, especially to say, Have a very happy Thanksgiving Day! Love, Aidan.”
Beaumont City Council member Cory Crenshaw, shared the emotional discovery on Facebook. “A post was made in a lost and found group in Kerrville and I was tagged several times by people thinking this artwork was made by Aidan Heartfield,” Crenshaw wrote. “After showing the pic to the Heartfield family, they indeed confirmed it was made by Aidan.”
The artwork was recovered by a Baylor student named Harrison, a friend of Aidan, Ella, and Reese, who was volunteering in the flood-affected area. He held onto it until Crenshaw could meet him in San Antonio and return it to the Heartfield family.
The discovery comes just days after Aidan Heartfield was escorted back to his hometown of Beaumont on July 12. His funeral service is set for 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Cremation arrangements are being handled by Broussard’s Mortuary.
Heartfield had been missing for a week following the floods that also claimed the lives of his friends Ella Cahill, Reese Manchaca, and Joyce Badon. His father, Thad Heartfield, said the group was staying at their home in Hunt when rising waters forced them onto the porch in the early hours of July 4. Tragically, they were swept away.
“Aiden did call me at 4 a.m. to let me know that there was water in the house,” Thad Heartfield said. “By the time they got out on the porch, they saw the cars wash away. Unfortunately, they were swept away by the water.”
The Heartfield family led extensive search efforts, with headquarters set up at a home known as “Fort Fleming.” After the recovery, the family expressed gratitude for the support they received and called attention to the ongoing needs of those affected statewide.
“This disaster has ripple effects that are reaching every corner of Texas, and people need help everywhere,” they said. “Folks are displaced from their homes and need support.”
Remembering his son, Thad Heartfield described Aidan as “a very kind and gentle soul” and the youngest in their family. Officer Haley Morrow of the Beaumont Police Department urged the community to “stand together to honor Aidan’s life and surround his family with compassion, strength, and love during this time of unimaginable loss.”
The return of Aidan’s childhood art, weathered but intact, offers a poignant reminder of the person he was and the love that continues to surround him.