Those involved with Vermilion Catholic High School often talk about the VC family.

That family learned Tuesday that it lost one of its own. Arturo Lebron, a 2002 VC grad, died after the PHI helicopter he was piloting crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. The crash occurred Monday afternoon, about 35 miles south of Grand Isle. Lebron was the only person on board.

Although it has been a decade since Lebron left VC, Kim Guidry, a long-time coach and teacher, said she remembers a well-rounded young man.

“He was a great person,” Guidry said Wednesday morning. “He was a hard worker. I remember him being a scholar student. He also ran track for us, along with his brother (Alphonso). He never gave us any trouble.

“He was a good person and I’m sad to see that happen.”

Lebron continued what he started at VC. A family man, including two children, he served in Iraq before becoming a helicopter pilot. None of that success comes as a surprise to Guidry.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Guirdy said. “It’s just pitiful that he had his whole life ahead of him, with two children, and for this to happen all of the sudden.”

The news did catch those on the VC campus Tuesday off guard.

“You never know what God has in store for us,” Guidry said. “When they told us Tuesday at the softball field, everyone, even the ones who didn’t know him, had the same reaction.

“It was somber.”

PHI issued a statement echoing that sentiment. PHI spokesperson Brad Deutser released a statement, “It is with heavy hearts that his colleagues and each of us at PHI, extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family. We will continue to work closely with the NTSB to understand the cause of the accident and anything that can be learned to prevent situations like this in the future.”

PHI said no further details will be given on the crash pending NTSB releasing its findings.