Rosemary Mcaninch Obituary, Death – The woman who lost her life when powerful storms swept through Sanger on Sunday has been identified by family members as 79-year-old Rosemary Mcaninch. The deadly weather struck the Sanger/Denton North KOA Journey RV park, where high winds overturned several trailers. Officials said five RVs in the long-term resident section were flipped during the storm. Mcaninch was inside her trailer at the time with her small Yorkie dog. She was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead. Her dog was later discovered alive in the trailer on Monday afternoon, providing a small measure of relief amid the tragedy.
Other residents in the RV park described terrifying moments as the storm tore through. Clint Frye, who lived in the same row as Mcaninch, recounted how his own trailer was tossed and rolled multiple times.
“The next thing I know I’m being flipped in the air,” Frye said. His black Labrador was trapped inside with him, but neighbors managed to bring over a ladder and rescue both through a window. When the storm subsided, his RV had come to rest on its side in the middle of a gravel road.
Frye explained that he survived largely by chance. “I was lucky that there wasn’t anything heavy where I was. Everything else inside got destroyed,” he said.
Though Frye did not personally know Mcaninch, he reflected on how easily he could have shared her fate. “It tells me how close I was to not making it either. I feel for her family, and my condolences go out to them. It makes me value life more,” he added.
His wife, Autumn Frye, shared her fears about the vulnerability of RVs during severe weather. “It’s scary. RVs aren’t as stable as a house or an apartment. This just shows how dangerous storms can be,” she said.
The management of the RV park released a statement following the incident, expressing sorrow over Mcaninch’s death and gratitude for the support of the local community.
“Late in the afternoon on Sunday, September 21, a severe storm impacted the Sanger community, including the Sanger/Denton North KOA Journey. Tragically, we experienced the loss of one of our long-term campers as a result. Our deepest sympathies are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement read. “We are continuing to assess the impact of the storm and remain focused on supporting our campers, team members, and neighbors. We are deeply grateful for the strength and care of the Sanger community.”
While Mcaninch’s death was the most severe outcome of the storm, other parts of the community also sustained significant damage. Officials reported heavy destruction at McClain’s Longhorn RV, which sits next to the KOA campground. Across Interstate 35, the storm also battered a Walmart distribution center, where structural damage was being evaluated on Monday. Local residents and business owners spent the day assessing the toll of the storm, beginning the long process of repairs and recovery.
The tragedy has left many in Sanger shaken, highlighting the danger storms pose to residents living in RVs and other mobile structures. Neighbors who survived expressed sorrow for Mcaninch’s family and acknowledged how close the outcome could have been different for them.
For Mcaninch’s loved ones, her sudden death marks a painful loss. She had been a long-term resident of the RV park, where neighbors said she lived quietly with her small dog. While her pet was spared, her family is now left mourning her life cut short by the violent weather.
As the Sanger community begins to recover, her death serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerability faced by those living in RV parks during severe storms. Officials are continuing to monitor damage and provide support to residents affected by the destructive winds.
