ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The family of Rickey Thomas and 4-year-old Kaise Gibbons, who were killed in a weekend street racing crash, confirmed that the victims were father and son. The family is remembering them as loving parents whose lives were cut short.

Albany Police confirmed that 4-year-old Kaise Gibbons and his father, 26-year-old Rickey “RJ” Thomas, were bystanders — not inside any of the racing vehicles. Two people have since been arrested and charged with homicide.

‘The Glue to the Family’

The Gibbons family says they are holding each other close as they try to move forward without a father and a son.

Kaise’s mother, Hannah Gibbons, expressed gratitude to those who have circled the family with support in the days since the crash.

“Thank you for supporting me and my family,” she said. “Thank you for loving Kaise and RJ. I don’t know what I would do without the prayers, calls and messages.”

Kaise’s aunt, Sara Gibbons, and his grandmother, Selina Long, said the 4-year-old’s name means “peace” — a fitting tribute to a child they describe as the glue that held the family together. His kind heart and giving personality, they said, touched everyone around him.

‘A Loving Father’

Long remembered RJ as the father she always hoped her daughter would find for the 4-year-old. They said the two bonded over a love of cars.

“RJ was a good daddy to Kaise,” Long explained. “He did everything that I prayed for. That’s all his momma wanted. She picked a good dad for Kaise.”

Other family members are also trying to find peace in the midst of their heartbreak.

“The bad thing is that I can’t see Kaise anymore,” Kaise’s aunt, Sara Gibbons, said. “The positive side is that he doesn’t have to suffer in this tragic world anymore.”

‘That Was My Boy’

Kaise’s stepfather, Derrien Bookert, also spoke about the little boy he loved as his own — and the family that welcomed him in.

“Kaise was my boy. He was kind, genuine, loving, caring,” Bookert said. “I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you to her mom, her sister and her whole family for accepting me with open arms. Accepting me and allowing me to be here. And trusting me.”

Support the Gibbons Family

The family said the sudden loss has created a financial burden. Family members said they are grateful for the community’s support and have created a GoFundMe to help with expenses.

You can find the GoFundMe link here.

Kaise’s preschool, BrightStar, said they will honor him with a balloon release on Wednesday, March 25.

Funeral arrangements for Kaise were released Tuesday by Lane Memorial Chapel. Services will be held in Adel and Valdosta on March 28 and 29.

Arrangements for Thomas’ Celebration of Life were released Wednesday morning. The service will be held Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. in Camilla.

For more information about arrangements for Thomas, click here.

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