On the way home Saturday afternoon from the Plano train show I stopped by Zacha Junction in Garland for the first time in over a year. A set of KCS belle’s was switching, and I took a photo from the side of the road. The engineer stopped the three GEVO’s and waved me over. In today’s world I braced myself for whatever. He asked me what I used my photos for and I told him for various magazines and for modeling. I asked him if he would like me to take his picture, and he said certainly, his family would love to have them. Since they were switching I did not think I had time to go get my flash for fill, and quickly took this series so they could go back to work. I gave the engineer my card so he could email me and I would send him the photos in return. His name was Isaiah Bigler. I sent him the photos but had not heard back from him. Now I sadly know why when I read this post from friend Nathan Bailey to Railspot:
“It’s with a heavy heart I share this tragic news…
Shortly before 10am on Wednesday morning KCS lost one of their brothers in train service. Shannon Isaiah Bigler, 36, was killed in a one vehicle car accident on US 69 near Lone Oak. Authorities are reporting his vehicle hydroplaned and struck a tree. Earlier in the day he brought SHDA to Wylie from Shreveport. He leaves behind his wife and children, including one very young infant. His wife Nicole was a classmate of one of my brothers and was a member of my church. Please pray for comfort and peace for this sweet family, their relatives and friends, and his peers at KCS.”
I met a very nice man Saturday afternoon that I only will have ever known for a few minutes. Hindsight is the best sight, and I should have gone back to the car and gotten the flash unit in order to do a better job on these photos of Isaiah. I promised him in my email later that I would do a better job the next time. Now there will be no next time, but I am glad to at least have these to offer to his family.
22 Comments
I was there with Cary taking photos of the newer IT’S switchers at Dallas yard. Drove up to the yard office and got permission to take photos. The 204 crew were in the office at that time getting ready to get going. Sad to hear the news. Never take anything for granted.
Excellent post. Very sad.
Thank you so much for posting and making this. It is very sad that we lost a friend and brother, but it is a blessing that you were there to take these photos, so thanks. This is something that we may share and cheerish and have as a memory of him. I’m a co-worker of Isaiah’s and I have forwarded this to all the other co-workers. Thanks again and God Bless
A very touching story, Ken. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m sure his family will really appreciate having these photos.
I am a friend of the family. I never had the opportunity to meet Shannon but I did spend some time with his wonderful wife when she was pregnant with the girl who will be 7 months old on Sunday, I believe. I only found your post because I googled “Isaiah Bigler, Lone Oak and wreck” as I was looking for information about the wreck and about the funeral arrangements. I never expected to see your post. Thank you for your passion in blogging and your appreciation for photography. My husband is a full-time photographer so I get what you’re saying about the fill flash and just getting what you can when you can. Anyway, thank you again.
How wonderfully (and secretly) God used you to bring comfort to a sweet family. It is a blessing to be a blessing to others! Keep up the good work!
I never had the pleasure of meeting him. But have worked along side his brother,Forrest “bear” Bigler. If he was just half the man as Forrest then I missed meeting a very special person.
Ken, Thanks again so much! We truly appreciate what you do for all. I think the pictures are wonderful. The colors are so vibrant. They are wonderful pics. Thanks for posting this.
Nicely done Ken. I feel glad knowing we teamed up to get these images to Isaiah’s family. I know Nicole and her children will cherish them for years.
In another sad, related note, Nicole mentioned on FB that apparently there was another similar fatality accident - - later that same day - - at essentially the same location where Isaiah’s accident occurred. Just awful…
It is awesome that you have been able to do this man great justice. What a proud feeling you must have, yet sad at the same time. Excellent work as always Ken.
Ken, That’s awesome you were there to record this young man before his untimely passing. I am sure his family will cherish these photos for a long time. I think you did a good job, photos look great!
Thank you so much for your article about my brother. Your words are very comforting. I enjoy seeing him smiling doing what he loved. May GOD bless you for your kindness.
Ken i am one of Isaiahs brothers, Thank you so much for taking these photos and printing these kind words in your article. They give me comfort seeing his smiling face doing what he loved to do.
Unlike some of the above posts, I did have the pleasure of knowing Isaiah and his family and what a great family they are, for his brother is married to my sister of many years now. I can assure you the pictures are greatly appreciated, for I have seen duplicates on Facebook since they were shared. The only positive is Isaiah is now spending quality time with his sister that lost her life to an accident as well, 4 months ago. We love and will miss you “Hi-C”. RIP and enjoy our sacred home we call Heaven…..until we get there.
I thank Jesus for having Isaiah for a little brother and Thank You Ken, for this insightful article.
I had the privilege of work as his conductor a few times.I was really schocked to find out that he is gone.My prayers with his family.It is a huge lost to them and to all of us,his co-workers at KCS.We are gonna miss you bro.RIP Shannon Bigler
A beautiful tribute to a well-loved family man. Isn’t it amazing how God plants people in positions to serve others, even when we aren’t aware of it? You were able to do something very special for Nicole and her children. Thank you for answering God’s nudge.
I am sure this excellent series of photos is a comfort to his family.
smeds
Ken, you’ve won train photography contests out the wahzoo, including the most prestigious (more than once). You’re Union Pacific’s go-to guy for company pictures. You’ve published at least one book of your own photos. Yet I do declare that those successes pale in comparison to the value of the images in this article. As a survivor of four car wrecks in my long life, two of which involved fatalities (and two of which occurred just a quarter mile from a KCS track!), I assure you I don’t take NUTHIN for granted.
My sincere condolences to the Bigler family.
Thank you for sharing this timely post. Our family is very appreciative fo the photos and the reinforcmenet of how how Isaiah effective many lives. He will be forever missed and leaves a large whole in our family unit. God bless you and your family.
A true blessing for these pictures, they capture Isaiah’s happiness and enjoyment as he worked. This series of pictures will now bring joy to his children and family as they look back to all the wonderful memories left by him. Thank you Ken for capturing this memory, a memory we will all cherish forever.
This was a very humbling article.
It is bittersweet how one small gesture can not only bring comfort to his family, friends, and fellow railroaders, but also make us all step back and appreciate everything around us.