PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- The community of Porterville is coming together to pray for the return of a 20-year-old local man, now identified as Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez, who Oregon authorities say was on a Kayak in Clackamas County over the weekend before he went missing.
Officials say they received 911 calls from multiple people Saturday night to report a kayaker "in distress" just upstream of Willamette Falls.
Loved ones shared photos from a GoFundMe page for the family.
One cousin, who is asking not to be identified, shares that he was a light in the community.
"He looked at life like the world wasn't cruel or ugly. He looked at it as the beauty it was. He was adventurous, he was a church goer, he believed in God, he was so faithful," Rodriguez's cousin said.
The 20-year-old played football at Porterville High School and more recently at College of the Sequoias.
He had a love for fishing, his family, and his community.
"He would do anything for this community. He was always there for this community, no matter what," his cousin said.
Officials say a blue kayak that Rodriguez was last seen operating was recovered near Elk Rock Island on the Willamette River.
"I don't think he meant to go out too far from where he was," Rodriguez's cousin said. "I think the rush of the current just took him out too far, and he couldn't make it."
Rodriguez's family released the following statement via the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office:
"We, the family of Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez, are truly devastated by the tragic event that unfolded this past Saturday in the Willamette Falls area, and we would not wish this experience on anyone. Our family is making every effort to heal and come to terms with our loss.
We would like to first warn others to always be aware of their surroundings and to NEVER enter this river without wearing a life jacket or, at the very least, exercising extreme caution, as the forces of nature can quickly become overwhelming and deadly.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the teams of first responders who rushed to our aid and continue to search for our boy. We also thank the locals and fishermen out on the water who have been watchful and helpful during this difficult time. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has treated us with care and compassion, and we are forever grateful for their efforts.
Marcelus loved God, his family, and nature. We hope that this tragic accident can be avoided in the future for other families. May God keep watch over Marcelus and bless him always."
If you would like to donate to the family's GoFundMe page, click here.
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