The tight-knit community of Pasadena has been left devastated after a heartless act of theft occurred at the Kipper Mease Sports Complex. A precious bronze statue, erected in memory of a talented young baseball player who tragically passed away in 1982, has been stolen. This despicable act has not only robbed the community of a cherished tribute but has also caused immense grief and sadness among all those who held the player in high regard.
The stolen statue has brought back painful memories for 86-year-old Roy Mease, whose son Kipper was lost in 1982.
Earlier this month, the bronze sculpture at the Kipper Mease Sports Complex in Pasadena, created as a tribute to Kipper, was removed.
On December 8, the statue mysteriously vanished, leaving behind nothing but its severed base.
Mease shared that he feels a strong connection to his son when he visits the park named after him. He often sits there and has conversations with him. However, it saddens him to see the empty spot where the statue once stood.
Kipper, a 20-year-old sophomore at Sam Houston State University, met with a tragic fate as he lost his life in a car accident.
Houston artist Bridgette Mongeon, who crafted the statue, referred to it as her inaugural public artwork and a therapeutic outlet for families in mourning.
“These sculptures offer comfort and solace during the grieving process,” Mongeon explained. “They provide a way for individuals to honor and celebrate the life of their loved ones, just like we are doing for Kipper.”
The family is concerned that the bronze statue may have been stolen to be sold for its material value.
Now, Mease is determined to fulfill his life’s mission of seeing the statue replaced. At 86 years old, he understands the urgency and is committed to living long enough to witness this change. He feels a strong sense of purpose driving him forward.
The Mease family is generously offering a reward of $2,500 to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the theft.
