A young Blue Springs couple, Kody and Aubree Ballard, died in a crash on Highway 40 on July 2, leaving behind a grieving community of family and friends who are now sharing tributes and raising funds to cover funeral costs.
According to family members, Kody and Aubree’s relationship started back in middle school and grew into a lasting partnership. Friends describe them as warm, fun-loving people who were always present for the people around them.
Community members in Blue Springs have posted messages online expressing shock and heartbreak over losing two people who were known for showing up for their loved ones without hesitation.
Kody’s sister, Kendra Ballard, shared an emotional tribute describing her brother as the best sibling she could have asked for, recalling their inside jokes and the bond they shared throughout their lives. She also spoke fondly of Aubree, calling her a true friend who always had her back and was excited to be part of the family.
Kendra noted that the couple had supported her through an earlier personal loss this year, staying by her side during one of the hardest moments of her life.
Family Turns to GoFundMe for Funeral Support
The tragedy comes during an especially painful stretch for the Ballard family. Organizer Taylor Gerkey, who set up a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the family, explained that Kendra has faced repeated losses within a single year, including the death of her mother and her son, and now her brother and his wife in this accident.
The fundraiser is intended to help cover funeral and memorial expenses for both Kody and Aubree, as the family works through the emotional and financial weight of arranging two funerals at once.
As of this week, the campaign has raised more than six thousand dollars of its nine thousand dollar goal, with over seventy people contributing. Donations have ranged from small gifts of twenty dollars to a leading contribution of sixteen hundred dollars, reflecting the wide reach of community support for the family.
Local Facebook groups, including the Blue Springs Missouri Community Page, have also shared posts honoring the couple, noting that they leave behind heartbroken parents and siblings, including Amy, Nick, Kendra, and Walker.
Organizers of the memorial posts have encouraged residents to consider donating or at least sharing the fundraiser to help ease the family’s burden during this time.
Kody and Aubree’s family has asked that anyone touched by their story keep them in their thoughts as they navigate funeral planning and mourning in the days ahead. Those wishing to contribute can do so through the GoFundMe campaign set up in the family’s name.
