LIBERTY, Texas – What started as a Fourth of July camping trip ended in tragedy for a Liberty family—and now, a quiet show of love is reaching a little girl who lost nearly everything.
John and Julia Burgess were camping with their three children in the Hill Country when torrential rain caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than 27 feet in less than an hour. Their RV, parked near the riverbank, was swept away.
The couple’s bodies were found days later. Their two young sons—five-year-old Jack and 18-month-old James—are still missing. Their daughter, Jenna, survived. She had been staying at a nearby summer camp when the flood hit around 4 a.m.
A bow that became a symbol of love
Jenna’s cheer coach wanted to do something—anything—to let her know she was not alone. She created a fundraiser called “The Jenna Bow”—a simple gesture meant to give her team and other families a way to show support.
She didn’t expect what happened next.
Orders for the bows poured in from across Texas. Cheer squads in Liberty, Hardin, and beyond began placing team orders. Others donated directly or sent words of encouragement.
“She’s sweet. She’s shy. She always wore a bow,” her coach wrote in a now-viral post. “And in one morning, she lost what probably feels like her entire world.”
The bow orders are now closed, but the impact hasn’t stopped. Her coach is working to put together a book of messages, names, and photos from every team and family who reached out—something Jenna can hold onto in the months and years ahead.
From the Hill Country to Liberty: “It felt like grief frozen in place”
KPRC 2 traveled to the Hill Country in the days after the flood. The scene was haunting: RVs crushed and flipped. Trees splintered. Children’s shoes and personal belongings still tangled in debris. It didn’t feel like a disaster zone. It felt like grief frozen in place.
And now, that same stillness is being felt in Liberty.
“I visited Liberty Elementary, where Julia taught,” said reporter Ricky Muñoz. “And the funeral home where John worked. Even at a local attorney’s office, people who didn’t know them personally said this loss feels close.”
Neighbors describe the Burgess family as humble, kind, and devoted to their children.
Community voices: “We’ll be here for her”
“I don’t know what she’s feeling,” said Alicia Perry, a Liberty resident. “But she’s strong. And Liberty’s the kind of place that shows up—we’ll be here for her.”
“It makes me sad. I got two little sisters,” said Jose Perez, holding back emotion. “I can’t imagine going through that.”
“All we can do is support her now,” another neighbor added. “There’s no preparing for this kind of pain.”
The search continues
As of this week, Jenna is staying with extended family. The search continues for her two brothers, Jack and James.
While the family’s connection to country singer Pat Green—John’s brother—has drawn online attention, Liberty residents say their focus is on the people they knew personally.
“Here, they’re not known for a name,” one neighbor said. “They’re known as parents, as neighbors, and as people who made this town better.”
How to help
While the “Jenna Bow” fundraiser has closed, Jenna’s coach says she plans to share official trust fund details in the coming days. Community members are also compiling other verified ways to support the family directly.
We’ll update this story with links once they become available.
