In an unforgettable send-off, mourners at the funeral of a beloved Detroit business figure witnessed an astonishing spectacle: a helicopter showering $5000 (£3687.78) in cash upon them.
This extraordinary gesture, dubbed the 'final gift to his people', marked a remarkable tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on his community.
Darrell 'Plant' Thomas, the well-loved owner of an East Detroit car wash, passed away from Alzheimer's at 58. His funeral took place on Friday, 27 June. However, the solemn occasion soon became extraordinary.
A City Stops for a Shower of Generosity
A helicopter appeared above Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street, the home of Thomas's business, Airport Express Lube & Service, scattering rose petals and cash over those gathered.
Traffic on Gratiot Avenue came to a complete halt across all six lanes. Drivers, taken by surprise, stopped their vehicles—some even in the middle of the road—and hurried out to gather the money raining down.
This remarkable farewell was arranged by Thomas' sons, who shared that it was their father's final wish to 'shower the streets' as a last act of giving. His niece, Crystal Perry, stated in a Facebook post that her uncle distributed a total of $5,000 (£3687.78).
Scenes of Joy and a Shower of Cash
Footage of the event shows the helicopter suspended in a clear blue sky, as petals and banknotes drift earthwards. This sight sparked cries of delight and a flurry of activity on the ground. 'Let me get out and get that money!' a child's voice can be heard exclaiming from off-camera.
'They dropped this money for my uncle in the middle of Gratiot [Avenue],' Perry states from off-camera. 'The best to ever do it! Rest well, unc. Rest well!'
Rather than descending into chaos, the gathering stayed peaceful and respectful. 'There was no fighting, none of that,' longtime employee Lisa Knife told The Detroit News. 'It was really beautiful.'
A Legacy Remembered
She didn't join in the scramble for cash; instead, she watched with deep respect. 'Everybody got a little bit,' she said. One of Darrell's sons, known as 'Smoke,' helped arrange this touching farewell and spoke proudly of his father's lasting impact.
'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 concluded with a heartfelt tribute: 'Many blessings to everyone, and long live Plant.' Other videos showed people eagerly gathering bills from the street, bending to scoop up handfuls of cash as it settled across the pavement.
A City Stops to Celebrate
The unexpected cash shower brought the neighbourhood together in a moment of shared celebration, filling the air with smiles, cheers, and laughter. Police briefly stopped traffic on Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street. This allowed the crowd to safely enjoy what many described as the most heartwarming goodbye they had ever witnessed.
While police were aware of the rose petals being dropped, they had no prior knowledge that money would also be falling from the sky. Detroit police have stated they are not investigating this event, but the FAA has initiated its probe.
