What began as a dream trip to celebrate high school graduation ended in heartbreak when 18-year-old Grant Herridge died after falling over a 50-foot waterfall at Olympic National Park on June 8, 2025. The Texas teen had just graduated from Vanguard College Preparatory and was touring national parks with a friend—an adventure he’d long dreamed of.

Witnesses say Grant slipped while crossing rocks at the top of Sol Duc Falls. Despite a large-scale search, his body—found submerged between the waterfall tiers—remains unrecovered due to dangerous river conditions. Rescue efforts are ongoing as park officials prioritize a safe recovery.

Back home, Grant’s passing has deeply affected his family and community. His father, Pastor Brad Herridge, remembered him as fearless and full of life, sharing how a ring Grant wore bore the inscription: “While we wait for life, life passes.” Tributes from his schools described him as kind, vibrant, and unforgettable.

Grant had planned to attend Baylor University in the fall, like his parents. In his honor, Baylor has established the Grant Herridge Memorial Scholarship. As loved ones gather to remember him, they celebrate not just a tragic loss, but the joy and spirit he brought to the world in his short but meaningful life.