Family and friends will gather Thursday, Aug. 14, to remember the West Salem junior killed in a car crash last month.
A funeral mass for Elijah Jung will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church in Keizer, 5303 River Rd. N. The service is open to the community, according to a statement from Jung’s parents. They’re requesting attendees wear black.
“Though his time with us was brief, Elijah’s gentle spirit, kindness, and passion touched everyone he met, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him,” the statement said. “The Jung family extends their deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love and support they have received during this incredibly difficult time.”
Jung died July 29 in a single-vehicle crash on Northwest Gibson Road, a rural road outside West Salem. He had just turned 17 the week before.
Authorities said speed was likely a factor in the crash.
Jung is survived by his parents, David and Dayna, and sister Dayjah.
The family is raising money for a memorial scholarship in Jung’s honor, to be given to a student in West’s Class of 2026, where he would have graduated.
“The scholarship will honor his memory by supporting a student who embodies Elijah’s kind spirit,” the fundraiser page said.
They’re also pursuing efforts to rename Gibson Road in Jung’s honor, and to fund a professional traffic study and improved safety measures on the road like better signage.
As of Monday afternoon, the family had raised $1,270 toward a $3,000 goal.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers education, economic development and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade and is a past president of Oregon’s Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Outside of work, you can often find her gardening or with her nose buried in a book.
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