Remembering Kobe Bryant at the Church Where He Prayed Before Helicopter Crash
Parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach remember Kobe Bryant as a loving father who doted on his four daughters, sometimes with cupcakes
By Gene Kang and Jonathan Lloyd ••
NBCUniversal, Inc.
A special prayer service was held at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church for Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven other victims who were killed in a helicopter crash. Gene Kang reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020.
Most of the world knew Kobe Bryant as a basketball player with a combination of exceptional talent and tenacious desire, a calculating and cold-blooded scoring machine with no fear on the court.
At Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, he was a loving father of four daughters who shared the sweet joy of cupcakes.
Bryant attended Mass regularly at the church, including on Sunday at 7 a.m., about two hours before the Lakers star, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash about 70 miles to the northwest in Calabasas.
He was showering them with cupcakes, and he put them in car seats and buckled them in so carefully.
Julie Hermes, parishioner
"He will be missed -- his spirit, his joy, his smile," said parishioner Rosemary Egkan.
On Monday morning, church members gathered to pray for families of the helicopter crash victims. Flowers, candles, signs and other items were left outside the church in memory of the Lakers' all-time leading scorer.
Bryant brought five NBA titles to Los Angeles, but members of the church said he also brought smiles to the community and remained humble. Many fans will recall that night in 2006 when he dropped 81 points, or his final game -- a 60-point farewell letter to adoring fans.
But Julie Hermes recalled watching Bryant's gentle way with his daughters outside the church one day.
"He was showering them with cupcakes, and he put them in car seats and buckled them in so carefully," Hermes said.
There was something else that stood out about the 6-foot-6 Bryant at church.
"When I give him communion I have to put my arm and feet up like that so I can reach him," said Heny Russell.
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A large mural tribute for basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter as seen painted over the Tenement basketball court by the Tenement Visual Artists, in Taguig, Philippines, Jan. 30, 2020.
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A man walks past a mural honoring Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, who died in a helicopter crash along with seven others. The mural was painted by artist Artoon.
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A mural painted by Australian street artist Lush Sux is seen on Budd Street, Collingwood, Jan. 30, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia.
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A giant mural painted in Kobe Bryant’s likeness by street artist Jorit Agoch stands in the Montedonzelli district of Naples, Italy, on Jan. 30, 2020.
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Anaheim Ducks fans, Ducks players and the Arizona Coyotes pay tribute to NBA Hall of Fame player from the Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna and the seven others lost in a helicopter accident on January 26 before a game played on Jan. 29, 2020, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
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Kurtis MacDermid (56) of the Los Angeles Kings wears a sticker on his helmet honoring Kobe Bryant and Gigi, before the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Staples Center on Jan. 29, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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Candles spell out “KOBE” at a vigil held at UNLV as a tribute to nine victims killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, on Jan. 29, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Attendees release 24 purple and yellow balloons during a vigil held at UNLV as a tribute to nine victims killed in a helicopter crash in Southern California, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, on Jan. 29, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kobe Bryant played in preseason NBA games at UNLV, as well as having practiced with the USA Basketball Men’s National Team in Las Vegas ahead of the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
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Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) looks down during a 24 second shot clock violation in honor of Kobe Bryant during an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Dallas. Bryant and his daughter were among nine people killed Sunday in a California helicopter crash.
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Duke players wear a No. 24 jersey during a moment of silence in memory of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant, prior to an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh in Durham, North Carolina, Jan. 28, 2020.
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Fans place candles, flowers and mementos in tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2020. The NBA legend and his 13-year-old daughter died with six other passengers and the pilot of a helicopter that crashed in Los Angeles on Sunday, shocking fans worldwide.
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Fans place candles, flowers and mementos in tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2020. The NBA legend and his 13-year-old daughter died with six other passengers and the pilot of a helicopter that crashed in Los Angeles on Sunday, shocking fans worldwide.
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From left: Houston Rockets center Tyson Chandler, guard Austin Rivers and forward P.J. Tucker cry during a tribute to Kobe Bryant before an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Denver. Bryant died in a California helicopter crash Sunday.
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Photos of the late Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant are projected onto a screen while YG, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch perform onstage in their honor during the 62nd Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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People gather around a makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant after learning of his death at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020. NBA legend Bryant died January 26 in a helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
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People cheer for former NBA star Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, as they mourn near Staples Center, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. Nine people have been confirmed dead in the crash, among them Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
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Snoop Dogg wears a Los Angeles Lakers sweat suit in memory of Kobe Bryant to perform at The Fillmore on Jan. 26, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on January 26th.
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Australia’s Nick Kyrgios wears a Lakers jersey with Kobe Bryant’s number to warm up to play against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during their men’s singles match on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan. 27, 2020.
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Lonzo Ball (2) of the New Orleans Pelicans holds the ball for a 24 second shot clock violation to honor the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant during a game against the Boston Celtics, Jan. 26, 2020, at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Victor Nava holds up his sign at LA Live to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant who died earlier in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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Los Angeles Lakers fan Victor Chavez, 30, of Los Angeles, mourns the death of retired NBA star Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center prior to the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. Bryant, 41, died in a helicopter crash in near Calabasas, California, to the shock and grief of fans nationwide.
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Coco Gauff wear shoes that pay tribute to NBA star Kobe Bryant during her third round match Women’s doubles match against Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara of Japan on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Jan. 27, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia.
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Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men sing in honor of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.
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Billboards around LA Live pay tribute to Kobe Bryant who died earlier in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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Nike shoes worn by Josh Hart (3) of the New Orleans Pelicans memorializing former NBA player Kobe Bryant are pictured during a game against the Boston Celtics at the Smoothie King Center on Jan. 26, 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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The Los Angeles International Airport light in up gold and purple on Jan. 27, 2020, in honor of Kobe Bryant. Bryant died on January 26th when the helicopter carrying him, his daughter Gianna and seven other people crashed, killing all onboard.
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Fans gather at LA Live to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant who died earlier in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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Darrin Dnote Milton poses with his Lakerbug car at a vigil for the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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Fans place flowers, candles and memorabilia at a makeshift memorial during a vigil held for NBA legend Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 27, 2020. Fans gathered outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles to mourn the passing of NBA star Kobe Bryant. The 41-year-old Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
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Photos of the late Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant are projected onto a screen while YG, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill and Roddy Ricch perform onstage in their honor during the 62nd Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
Distraught Los Angeles Lakers fan Naima Smith cries at a vigil for the late NBA star Kobe Bryant on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.
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Exterior (above) and interior lights of the Madison Square Garden shine in purple and gold to honor NBA great Kobe Bryant after the game between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 26, 2020, in New York.
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Children look at a memorial wall painted in the image of former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant following his death, near the “House of Kobe” gym built in honour of his 2016 visit to the Philippines, in Manila on Jan. 27, 2020.
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Fans place flowers, candles and memorabilia at a makeshift memorial during a vigil held for NBA legend Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 27, 2020. Fans gathered outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles to mourn the passing of NBA star Kobe Bryant. The 41-year-old Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
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People gather around a makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant after learning of his death, at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jan. 26, 2020.
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Exterior and interior lights (above) of the Madison Square Garden shine in purple and gold to honor NBA great Kobe Bryant after the game between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 26, 2020, in New York.
Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images
People gather around a makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant after learning of his death, at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jan. 26, 2020.
David McNew/Getty Images
Fans mourn at a makeshift memorial near Staples Center for former NBA star Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. Nine people have been confirmed dead in the crash, among them Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
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Fans gather at a makeshift candlelight memorial across from Staples center to mourn the death of former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 26, 2020.
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People mourn at a makeshift memorial at Mamba Sports Academy for former NBA great Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash while commuting to the academy, Jan. 26, 2020 in Newbury Park, California. Nine people have been confirmed dead in the crash in Calabasas, among them Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
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People gather around a makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant after learning of his death, at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jan. 26, 2020.
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A boy plays basketball in front of images of former NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant at the “House of Kobe” basketball court in Valenzuela, Philippines, Jan. 27, 2020. Fans left flowers and messages on the walls at the newly inaugurated court after learning of Bryant’s death. Bryant died in a helicopter crash.
Crash investigators remained at the scene northwest of LA Monday. They're looking over a debris field that covers the area of a football field, attempting to determine why the helicopter crashed during a foggy morning in Southern California.
Recordings of conversations between the pilot and air traffic controllers indicate the pilot had to obtain special clearance to fly Sunday morning through the San Fernando Valley. Visibility in the area was below the regular minimum for flights under visual rules.
