Cedric Ford took three lives on Thursday's Kansas rampage -- but he also changed countless friends' and family members' lives in the process.
Three people were killed in a shooting spree in Kansas on Thursday, including a father who toiled long hours at the workplace where he lost his life in order to provide for his beloved fiancee and young son.
Josh Higbee was among those killed when Cedric Ford opened fire at the Excel Industries plant in Hesston, where he the 31-year-old worked as a welder.
Higbee left behind a 4-year-old son and wife-to-be and was remembered as a mechanical whiz by his loved ones.
"He loved tractors and toy cars, anything automotive. He was a car guy," Higbee's brother, Nathaniel Hinson, told the Wichita Eagle. "He liked to work with his hands."
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Higbee's family said he'd give the shirt off his back for anyone, not least of all his fiancee, Subrina Luke.
"He was wonderful," Luke said. "He didn’t deserve this. None of the people deserved this."
Also suffering in the wake of this week's senseless tragedy are the loved ones of 30-year-old Renee Benjamin and 44-year-old Brian Sadowsky.
Like Higbee, Sadowsky was remembered by friends as a kind, giving man. His friend David Oppenheimer credits him with helping him get sober and stay that way, after he was able to do the same for himself.
"We grew up together but became really close in the meetings," Oppenheimer told People. "He was always there and he always had the right thing to say. He's why I am still clean and sober today. He did things for so many people. I think he's a real American hero."
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Benjamin's girlfriend, Dominique Woods, remembered her as a free spirit who was "so smart, but shy about it. She was so funny, so beautiful, inside and out. She was my best friend."
In a Facebook post, the New Mexico's native's friend Robert Hector IV wrote:
"The lord got another angel yesterday. And you will most definitely be missed my friend! I know your watching Down. Just help my dear friend in this time as she lost her backbone yesterday. Rest in peace Renee Benjamin."
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Fourteen others were injured after an police say Ford opened fire Thursday at the Kansas industrial facility.
Ford, 38, was killed by law enforcement officials.
Employees and witnesses identified the Ford as a painter at the plant who seemed normal when he turned up for work on Thursday.
But Ford became upset after being served at work with a restraining order, and left the premises, authorities said Friday. His shooting rampage started about 90 minutes later, according to officials.
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