Officials say plane was caught between 2 converging storm cells
 |
| Dallas couples Steve Barrows and Roland Schurrer, and Jeff Byron and Greg Arceneaux were killed in a plane crash off the coast of Florida. Schurrer, to photo on right , was owner of Quality Powder Coating in Carrollton. His partner Barrows was the company pilot. Byron, below on left, also worked for the company. |
A second couple from Dallas has been identified as passengers on a plane that crashed 20 miles off the Florida coast on July 8.
Jeff Byron, 40, and Greg Arceneaux, 54, lived in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas and had been together 17 years.
Steve Barrows, 33, piloted the twin-engine Cessna 421. His partner of 11 years, Roland Schurrer, 40, was also on board. Schurrer was president of Quality Powder Coating LP of Carrollton. Barrows was the company pilot and in sales. They lived in the Knox-Henderson area.
Trish Hudson, who was friendly with both couples, said the four traveled together often.
Also on the plane was Mysela "Mike" Parks, 44, of Brandon, Fla. He produced promotional and training videos for McNichols Co., a company that manufactures steel and fiberglass components.
The plane left Collin County Regional Airport in McKinney at about 10 a.m. on July 8. Air Traffic Control in Jacksonville said Barrows reported "heavy turbulence, loss of control and inverted flight" just before controllers lost radar contact with the Cessna at 1:52 p.m.
 |
The plane was at 5,000 feet when two thunderstorm systems converged in the area of the aircraft, according to the National Weather Service.
FAA records indicate that Barrows had "no accidents, incidents or other enforcement action" in his file.
Byron worked in marketing for Quality Powder Coating. The three Quality Powder Coating employees on board were traveling to a trade show in Tampa when the crash occurred.
Arceneaux worked as a loan officer for Moncor Mortgage Bank in Addison. Within the last year, he had lost his mother, a brother and a brother-in-law. He is survived by two sisters and another brother.
Hudson said Byron celebrated his 40th birthday on July 1 with a large party in Dallas. After the party, the two couples flew to Florida to celebrate with members of Byron’s family and then they came home earlier that week.
While the other three were returning to Florida on business, Arceneaux only decided to join his partner on the July 8 flight at the last minute.
As a teenager, Schurrer loved race cars, friends said. Later, for his own car, he needed powder coating and began producing it in his garage. That was the beginning of his company.
Barrows began flying at the age of 15. His mother said he took a job washing dishes at a local restaurant in Mesa, Ariz., where he was raised, to pay for lessons.
He received his private pilot’s license two weeks after graduation. He served in the Air Force and worked as an AP mechanic for Raytheon before going to work for his partner’s company.
By then, he had earned a commercial pilot’s license.
"His life was flying and he died doing what he loved most in life," his mother, Ann Barrows, said.
About her son’s partner, she said, "Roland was a son to us. When I came to Dallas they took me to the Rose Room, and to Friends when we went down to Cedar Creek Lake."
Describing Arceneaux and Bryon’s relationship, Hudson said, "They lived their lives without any excuses. They were a good couple. Role models. They knew what loyalty and commitment meant. They did everything they could to take care of their friends."
She said the two couples participated in many community events.
"We were always at gay Pride together," she said, adding that they regularly attended Black Tie Dinner, the DIFFA/Dallas Collection dinner and Toast to Life.
Halloween and Easter in the Park, where their dogs participated in the pooch parade, were other favorites.
Jake and Megan, Schurrer and Barrows’ two chocolate Labrador retrievers, were on the plane and also killed in the crash.
Schurrer is survived by his mother, Christiane Schurrer, his sister and her husband, Michelle and Kevin Pike, his niece Alyssa Pike and his aunt, Renate Blatt. His mother and sister both work at Quality Powder Coating. Barrows is survived by his parents, Ann and Ron Barrows of Meza, Ariz. and his brother, Brad.
Byron is survived by his parents, Jim and Myrna Byron, who live in Tennessee, and his sister Danielle and two nieces. Friends are temporarily caring for Arceneaux and Byron’s dogs, Madison and Thatcher.
A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Cathedral of Hope on July 25 at 5 p.m.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 17, 2009.
The cast, members, and patrons of Friends Nightclub wish to express our sympathy and prayers to the families and friends of these fine individuals.
Roland and I have been friends for 23 years we went to High School together, I had the opportunity to watch him grow his business from a hobby to what it is today, He and Steve both were fantastic friends to which will be missed greatly, Jake and Megan were the 2 best pups, and like their kids I saw them grow from puppies to the most wonderful dogs anyone could ever ask for, My heart goes out to all the families to which have lost very dear people, of course I am a bit bias, because I miss my friend, He and Steve were taken from this world way too soon. I had so looked forward to the day that we fired up the rebuild of his 55 Chevy for the first time, I feel very fortunate to have had such a wonderful friend as Roland, There will not be a day that goes by I will not think of him.
I met Jeff and Greg about 11 years ago through a mutual friend in Dallas. I am still in shock and am having a hard time believing that they are gone. My heart goes out to their family and friends. I will treasure the memories that I have of Jeff and Greg when I visited them (and their friends) in Dallas. They were kind and sensitive men who lived life to the fullest. Every phone conversation or visit would always end by Jeff and Greg telling me that they loved me and that I was welcome in their home anytime. I will never forget them.
I met Greg and Jeff through my sister and these were two of the most giving and lovable men I have ever met..my duaghter my family we all knew them, My heart just froze when I heard of the news Deb (my sis) unfortunately) missed the memorial she found out the Sunday after it was “SHOCK” to her she was really close to the two men they were like brothers to her. I do know that they are now in a happier place I can say they are with my brother who we lossed tragically but I know they are watching over us. MY LOVE TO ALL THREE OF YOU whom we lossed way to early we will “MISS YOU FOREVER”.
There’s actually an incorrect fact in this story. Steve didn’t grow up in Mesa, Arizona. I worked with him at the restaurant where he was a dishwasher and all he ever talked about was flying. It was definitely something he loved to do. I lost tough with Steve after I graduated high school and moved away. I’m guessing he moved away after I did. I only learned of his passing recently and I was devastated. I actually worked with both he and his brother at that restaurant and both were good people. I will always have fond memories hanging out with the both of them. Their parents raised some good kids.
RIP Steve. Life took you way to early, but you achieved your dream of getting your commercial pilot’s license.