"He will be missed in this community. I promise you that," said Beth Johnson, a close family friend. "He was a very, very well-mannered young man."
[Ads /]
RELATED:
- Teachers duct-taped doors after KMCO blast shook school
- Worker who died in KMCO explosion identified
- TIMELINE: How the KMCO chemical plant fire unfolded in Crosby
- Workers crawl under gate to escape blast at KMCO plant in Crosby
- KMCO chemical plant fire in Crosby kills 1, injures 2
- KMCO 'thorn in our side' that 'should not reopen': County
- What is KMCO, site of deadly blast
Several in the Crosby community say Tuesday's blast shook their homes as a massive column of smoke billowed up into the air.
Mangum, also known as Bubba, was killed and two others were injured.
The man grew up and lived in the nearby Daisetta community, about 35 minutes northeast of Crosby.
[Ads /]
"He was always respectful and kind and opened doors for the ladies. He was just respectful...'Yes, ma'am, no ma'am,'" Johnson said.
Johnson says Bubba was well-known and liked by many in the area and he graduated from Hull-Daisetta Independent School District. She says the last time she saw him was at the local store when he said hello and gave her a hug.
"Everybody loved him," said Johnson. "He was just funny and made people laugh. He liked to dance and go fishing. Good kid."
Beth says Bubba's father passed away a few years ago and leaves behind a sister and his mother.
Follow Charly Edsitty on Facebook and Twitter.