Buckeye tree planted in honor of Bluffton dad

Friends and family of Chris Bricker gathered at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 28, to remember the Bluffton resident by planting a Buckeye tree in his memory.

About 40 people attended the private Friday evening ceremony.

The Bluffton High School Athletic Department gave Bricker's friends and family permission to plant the tree at Harmon Field. The tree was paid for by friends of Chris Bricker.

"Chris had good friends. Very good friends," said Jay Bricker, Chris' father.

Chris Bricker, 38, of Columbus Grove, died February 26, 2010 as the result of a snowmobile accident. He and his wife Tracie have two sons, Austin and Dakota.

Bricker was active as a coach for both midget football and wrestling in Bluffton. He was a graduate of Bluffton High School and was employed by Grob Systems, Inc., Bluffton. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bluffton.