Community helps family of Thedford ‘s James Aaron Brown who died in farming accident

The Independent

The family of the young man who died in a farming accident say he loved farming and was “truly an angel on earth.”

Sept. 20 Middlesex OPP, Lambton paramedics and local firefighters were called to a farm on Parkhill Drive in North Middlesex, northwest of Parkhill where the Thedford teen was found unconscious in a well on the property. The 15-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The OPP and the Ministry of Labour are investigating his death.

A GoFundMe page set up to help the family of the teen pay for funeral expenses, identifies him as James Aaron Brown, who was turning 16 Oct. 7.

“On Saturday, September 20th, 2025, the world lost a bright light—James was taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly. During his time here, James was truly an angel on earth—kind, gentle, and full of life,” it says.

“James is the kind of friend everyone cherishes—always ready to lend a hand, even if it means getting his jeans dirty in the process. His genuine nature shone through in the ways he was there for others, sharing stories about tractors, or simply enjoying the outdoors. When he was not busy helping out, you would find him off four-wheeling through the mud, fishing by the quiet lakes, or taking late-night drives with the boys. His warmth, loyalty, and down-to-earth spirit made him a truly special person whose kindness leaves a lasting impression on everyone who was around him.”

The teen leaves behind his parents, Aaron and Jeanette of Thedford and siblings Hunter, Chelsea and Hannah as well as his extended family.

GoFundMe organizers Casey VanHooydonk and Alicia Carrothers say “No parent ever expects to face the heartbreak of planning a funeral for their child. Out of love and support for the Brown family, friends have come together to create this page and have established a trust in James’s name at the local bank, accessible to Aaron and Jeanette during this difficult time.”

The fund will help the family pay for funeral expenses with anything extra being turned into trust accounts for the teen’s siblings.

Donations can be made through the page https://www.gofundme.com/f/b658s-james-aaron-brownor at the CIBC branch in Parkhill.

Funeral arrangements for Brown can be found here; https://forestfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/20733/James-Brown/obituary.html