Three Bonham ISD elementary students perished Monday in a tragic drowning accident just outside Bonham city limits, southeast of Denison and northeast of Dallas, on US Highway 82.
According to media reports, the youngest of three brothers fell through the ice of a frozen pond. His two older brothers didn’t hesitate and tried to save him.
The three brothers – identified on social media as 9-year-old Edward Doss, Jr., 8-year-old Kaleb Doss, and 6-year-old Howard Doss – all attended Northwest Elementary School in Brownwood before moving to their new school over the Christmas break.
Tanya Glasscock, a second-grade teacher at Northwest Elementary, taught Kaleb in her class during the fall 2025 semester.
“He was a child that looked after everyone,” Glasscock said of Kaleb. “He had a heart that wanted everyone to be OK. If a child fell, he was the first one to help them up. The biggest impact to me was how close those siblings were. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Kaleb and Edward jumped in to help Howard. They looked after each other.”
Of her initial reaction to the news, Glasscock said, “{I thought) that it wasn’t real. I’m still in shock. But like I said before, it did not surprise at all that they went in to help their brother. That’s who they were.”
Kayla Simpson, a third-grade teacher at Northwest, said she felt “devastation” when she heard the news.
“I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that all three boys drowned,” Simpson said. “I am a mom of three boys and I can’t even begin to imagine the heartache their mom is feeling. It is truly one of the saddest things.”
As for her memories of the Doss brothers on the Northwest campus, Simpson said,
“The boys were always happy and smiling at school, had great personalities. The oldest one, Edward, would play recess football with my son and had some of the funniest jokes. He never left for the day without telling my bye when walking past my classroom.”
The Doss brothers attended Northwest Elementary only for the 2025 fall semester, and were not Brownwood ISD students before.
Dr. Lance Hamlin of the Bonham ISD issued the following statement Monday:
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we inform our community of the tragic passing of three elementary students. We are devastated by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who knew and loved these children.
During this incredibly difficult time, we ask that our community join us in respecting the privacy of the family as they grieve. The district is committed to providing support in every way possible to the family and all those affected by this tragedy.
We understand that this news deeply impacts our close-knit community. Counselors will be available to meet with students and staff who need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you or your child needs support.
We are a strong community, and we will get through this together by supporting one another with compassion and care.
Our hearts go out to everyone touched by this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.