MEIGS, Ga. — The Meigs community is preparing to say goodbye to a native son who died in a helicopter crash Sept. 8 that also claimed the life of country music performer Troy Gentry.

James Evan Robinson, 30, had worked as a commercial pilot and flight instructor for Helicopter Flight Services in Medford, N.J., when he took Gentry up prior to a performance of the group Montgomery Gentry, which features Troy Gentry along with Eddie Montgomery. According to Associated Press coverage of the crash, Robinson reported shortly after takeoff that the aircraft was having mechanical problems.

A memorial service for Robinson is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Parker-Bramlett Funeral Home in Camilla.

Robinson was born Oct. 31, 1986, in Moultrie. He was the son of Kenneth and Sheila Crosson Robinson of Meigs, who are among his survivors.

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Meanwhile, Gentry was memorialized by friends and some of the top names in country music on Thursday at the Grand Ole Opry.

Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels and Trace Adkins were among the stars who gathered at the service to sing songs like “How Great Thou Art,” ‘’Wayfaring Stranger,” and “My Old Kentucky Home.” Gentry’s casket was placed in the famous circle in the middle of the Opry stage, where he often stood to sing with duo partner Eddie Montgomery, and was surrounded by sprays of white and red roses.

Gentry and Montgomery were inducted into the Opry in 2009 after a string of No. 1 country hits and platinum albums with their mixture of Southern rock and country. Some of their hits included “Roll With Me,” ‘’Back When I Knew It All,” ‘’Lucky Man,” ‘’Something to Be Proud Of” and “If You Ever Stop Loving Me.”