Courtesy photos
WEATHERFORD â Entities all over East Parker County and beyond remembered the life of Father Jay Atwood, who died Tuesday. His passing came after he suffered a stroke on July 8, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.
Atwood was known for roles within the city of Willow Park, the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department and the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, where he had served as Canon to the Ordinary since January, 2020.
Prior to that, Atwood was a rector of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Willow Park for more than 25 years.Â
Willow Park Mayor Doyle Moss called Atwood a true public servant after knowing him for several years.
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May 21, 2021
Tony Crawford, center, converses with members of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans during a protest on the Parker County Courthouse lawn in December. Weatherford Democrat file photo
When it comes to racial relations both in county and nationwide, conversations can go a long way in bridging the gap, locals say.
Weatherford Police Chief Lance Arnold, who joined the city as chief in 2017, said he has seen a lot of extremism on both sides of social issues, and wants to see leaders on both sides engage in some real conversations about issues, including equality.
âI believe one positive that has come out of the [defund the police] movement are real discussions about many of the social issues the police are routinely asked to address, that have little to do with the actual functions of the police â such as maintaining safety, enforcing laws and preventing, detecting and investigating criminal activity,â he said.