Latest news with #CrystalPerry
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Chaos in Detroit as dead man's life savings are dropped from HELICOPTER to honor his final wish
A Michigan man known for his generosity made one final, jaw–dropping gesture to thank his community – by literally making it rain cash from a helicopter at his own funeral. Darrell 'Plant' Thomas, a beloved car wash owner in East Detroit, died from Alzheimer's at 58 and was laid to rest on Friday, June 27. But the somber ceremony quickly turned surreal when a helicopter swooped over Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street – where Thomas' business, Airport Express Lube & Service, was located – and began showering mourners with rose petals and bundles of money. Traffic on all six lanes of Gratiot came to a standstill as stunned drivers stopped their cars – some right in the middle of the road – and rushed out to scoop up the falling cash. The dramatic send–off was orchestrated by Thomas' sons, who said it was their father's dying wish to give back one last time by 'showering the streets.' His niece, Crystal Perry, said her uncle dropped a total of $5,000, according to a Facebook post. Footage shows the helicopter hovering in a bright blue sky as petals and bills flutter down, prompting screams of joy and a mad scramble on the ground. 'Let me get out and get that money!' a child can be heard shouting off–camera. 'They dropped this money for my uncle in the middle of Gratiot [Avenue],' Perry says in the background. 'The best to ever do it! Rest well, unc. Rest well!' Instead of turning chaotic, the crowd remained calm and reverent. 'There was no fighting, none of that,' longtime employee Lisa Knife told The Detroit News. 'It was really beautiful.' She did not partake in the cash grab, but instead admired with reverence. 'Everybody got a little bit,' she said. One of Darrell's sons, known as 'Smoke,' helped organize the emotional send–off and spoke proudly about his father's legacy. 'Detroit, y'all might not know who my father was, but he was a great father,' Smoke said. 'Among his community he was a legend, and he blessed everyone – and that was his last blessing to everyone. That's all it was.' He ended with a heartfelt tribute: 'Many blessings to everyone, and long live Plant.' Other videos captured people eagerly scooping up bills from the street, bending down to grab handfuls of cash as it fluttered across the pavement. Smiles, cheers, and laughter filled the air as the unexpected windfall brought the neighborhood together in a moment of shared celebration. Police briefly closed off traffic on Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street to allow the crowd to safely enjoy what many called the most heartwarming goodbye they'd ever seen. While officers were informed about the rose petal drop, they had no idea money would also be raining from the sky. Detroit police said they are not investigating – but the FAA has launched a probe.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Helicopter drops money from sky to honor Detroit man's last wish
Money and rose pedals fell from the sky over Gratiot Avenue near Conner Street in Detroit in honor of Darrell "Plant" Thomas on Friday, June 27. Thomas passed away on June 15 at 58 years old. His sons Darell and Jonte organized a helicopter to drop $5,000 and rose pedals at 1:27 p.m. over Show Room Shine Express, 1041 Gratiot Avenue, Thomas's niece Crystal Perry, Detroit, said. "This was a final expression of love from him to the community because he was a giver," Perry said. "Yesterday was simply a farewell tribute to an Eastside legend." More: AG Dana Nessel: Michigan voters would pass ballot question to erase gay marriage ban More: Free Press picks in 2025 Detroit City Council election | Endorsements Outside of owning Showroom Shine Express, Thomas was a National Hot Rod Association licensed professional race car driver, as well as a brother, father, grandfather and more, according a recording of his funeral at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Perry said to know her uncle Plant was to love him. "He would do anything for anybody," Perry said. "He just had a different kind of heart. You don't meet people like that nowadays." This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Helicopter drops $5,000 in honor of this former Detroit car wash owner
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Money falls from the sky to honor Eastside Detroit man
Money and rose pedals fell from the sky over Gratiot Avenue near Conner Street in Detroit in honor of Darrell "Plant" Thomas on Friday, June 27. Thomas passed away on June 15 at 58 years old. His sons Darell and Jonte organized a a helicopter to drop $5,000 and rose pedals at 1:27 p.m. over Show Room Shine Express, 1041 Gratiot Avenue, Thomas's niece Crystal Perry, Detroit, said. "This was a final expression of love from him to the community because he was a giver," Perry said. "Yesterday was simply a farewell tribute to an Eastside legend." More: AG Dana Nessel: Michigan voters would pass ballot question to erase gay marriage ban More: Free Press picks in 2025 Detroit City Council election | Endorsements Outside of owning Showroom Shine Express, Thomas was a National Hot Rod Association licensed professional race car driver, as well as a brother, father, grandfather and more, according a recording of his funeral at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Perry said to know her uncle Plant was to love him. "He would do anything for anybody," Perry said. "He just had a different kind of heart. You don't meet people like that nowadays." This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Money falls from sky to honor Detroit car wash owner
