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Couple Who Died In Van Were "Lovely Individuals"

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VAN(CBSDFW.COM) - Cleanup continues to be a heavy burden in Van and so is the grief.

After David and Brenda Tapley died in the tornado, friends, such as Mike Johnston are celebrating their lives.

"They were always side by side, even to their death," says Johnston.  "They were lovely individuals. They had a love for each other that was very, very deep."

Tapley retired as a lieutenant of the Garland police department in 2006, and the couple moved to Van.  Johnston says everyone is still in shock they're gone.

"We think they were asleep when the tornado hit and unfortunately, were ejected from their house and then fell to their death."

Johnston says he believes the couple may have been thrown a quarter of a mile where they were discovered under debris by a 14-year-old neighbor.

"Time for God to call them home and we know that's where they are today," says Johnston.

A memorial service for the couple at Van United Methodist Church is in the planning stages.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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