Memorial fund for crash victim set up

Grier Laughlin

AURORA | The family of a local water polo coach killed Sunday in a head on crash on E-470 has set up a memorial fund for the man. 

Grier Laughlin, 37, died after a wrong-way driver slammed into his SUV on E-470 near East Quincy Avenue. The driver of the other car, Odean Wheetley, 89, also died in the crash. Laughlin’s three children, ages 4 and 6, were in the SUV with him at the time of the crash but were not seriously injured. 

Mark Isenburg, a close friend and Laughlin's fellow coach at the Colorado Water Polo Club, said proceeds from the Grier Laughlin Memorial Fund will go to help Laughlin children’s with their education and  other needs.  

Organizers also hope to use the money for a possible Grier Laughlin Memorial Swimming and Water Polo Complex, Isenburg said. 

“It was a dream of Grier’s to bring a top swimming and water polo facility to the area, one capable of hosting swim meets and water polo tournaments.  This would be a tremendous undertaking, but one his family and friends think would be a perfect way of honoring his memory and his dream, while providing lasting support for his two favorite sports here in Colorado,” Isenburg said in an email Tuesday. 

Laughlin’s funeral is set for 2 p.m. Friday at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church and will be open to the public. 

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Ellis Family Services, P.O. Box 270334, Littleton, 80127.