Brett Regan ~ Little Apple Post

Ron Bramlage was close to his friends.

In fact, he lived across the street from his best friend, Rick Bazan.

Bazan and Bramlage grew up in Junction City together and starting wrestling at the age of four. But Thursday, all Bazan could do is stand in front of his friend’s house in disbelief.

Bramlage, 45, and his wife Becky, 43, and their four children: Brandon, Boston, Beau and Roxanne were killed in a plane crash near Lake Whales, Fla. The family of six was on their way back to Junction City from a vacation in the Bahamas.

Even in the midst of tragedy, Bazan’s childhood friendship with Ron was crystal clear.

“I spent a lot of time at his house when I was a kid learning how to ride motorcycles, getting into mischief,” Bazan said. “We were best friends from four or five years old until 45 years old.

“We were best friends for 40 years.”

The families were close as well. Both had children around the same age and the spouses hung out together.

And as media outlets gathered outside, people posted signs on the Bramlage’s gated driveway and dropped off bouquets of flowers

All Bazan could do was watch and mourn the loss of his best friend.