Created: 11/6/2009 5:57:16 PM 
ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Family and friends gathered Sunday for a memorial service for Kevin and Katie Whitelaw at Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park.
Kevin and his sister, Katie, were shot to death Tuesday, police say, by their own father, who then killed himself.
The St. Johns Country Day School retired Kevin's #60 jersey, presenting it to his mother at the home game Friday night.
They also spray-painted his jersey on the football field, and ran the first play with a "missing man"-- the absence of Kevin, who played tackle.
"Honoring Kevin is not that we're going to go out there trying to win the game for Kevin, it's each kid on every play will tray as hard as they can, as Kevin would have done it," said Head Coach Merlin Smith.
Friends and coaches describe Kevin Whitelaw as a "gentle giant" because he was over 6 feet tall, they say, and such a big guy he didn't fit into his new football jersey -- and he had a generous and kind heart.
Erika says Kevin would "volunteer" to help her with Algebra and science without being asked. He was so good in math, she says, the teacher would ask the other students questions and when everyone was stumped, she would turn to Kevin for the answer.
Erika and her friends say their "crying stage" is winding down now, but the pain is still strong. However, they say, Kevin was part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They all agreed he is now in Heaven and "in a better place."
"He was a strong Christian," Erika says.
Alec says Kevin would always boost him up, even if he missed every shot in a basketball game.
Chadd says even when the baseball team hit a slump, Kevin would never show anger. He would only encourage his fellow players.
Austin says he was just a terrific guy, and he was good enough to play football in college.
Coach Rodifer, one of Kevin's football coaches, says Kevin was one "of the most genuine" kids he's ever met. He says Kevin's jersey number 60 won't be worn by anyone else out of respect to Kevin.
The coach says he's realizing even more now what a strong influence Kevin was as a mentor to other students.
He says Kevin helped start a ping pong club to interact with other students. Friends have written "Kevin Whitelaw" on a ping pong table in the gym as an honor.
Click on the video to hear good memories about Kevin.
His friends say their prayers and thoughts go to Kevin's mom right now.
Kevin, a football player, was remembered at Friday night's game.
His jersey and a scrapbook put together by the yearbook staff was given to his mom Friday afternoon, and Kevin's classmates celebrated his life at a ceremony at 7 p.m., before the game.
Also, students have designed bracelets and T-shirts to remember Kevin. Students that knew Kevin remain in shock, they said Friday.
"I'm pretty sure everybody cried. I keep wanting to pinching myself," said Austin Engelbrecht, who played football with Kevin, a right tackle.
The children's schools, St. Johns Country Day and Grace Episcopal Day School, have set up a fund for anyone who would like to make a donation to help with the funeral expenses.
It is Compass Bank account number 2518452447, and check can be made payable to "The Dana Whitelaw Family Fund."
The children's maternal grandfather responded today to the support the family has received since the tragedy:
"If there is a way to come to terms with the loss of our dear loved ones, we know that it will only be through God's leading us day by day, and the love and support of family and friends. We were speechless Tuesday evening at the number of people that took time out of their lives to come to the candlelight vigil and express their sympathy and support."
