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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A community gathered on Saturday to grieve the loss of David Hames.

Hames died during the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.  He was there filming video for a documentary on Haitian orphans for Compassion International.

Hames was in the Hotel Montana when it collapsed from the quake.

On Saturday, hundreds of friends and family members gathered to say goodbye. The memorial ceremony was held at Vanguard Church where Hames was an active member.

His family and friends say they wanted today to be a celebration of everything Hames was. He died helping people less fortunate than himself.

And now two sons have no father, a wife has no husband, and a mother grieves.

"There is nothing to compare with the grief a mother feels and I only wish for all the mothers in the world to not have to have that experience," said Hames’ mother, Arlene Horenovsky.

People who knew him best say it's no surprise he died helping others.

"He was where he was meant to be," Horenovsky said.

But that doesn’t soften the blow for his family.

"I still sometimes can't understand why this has happened, but I feel like there is a plan for me and my boys, and I just have to be faithful and hold onto that hope, but i'ts hard," said Hames’ widow, Renee Hames.

She said her sons are still struggling to understand the loss of their dad.

Three-year-old Zander may not comprehend it. But the family says 5-year-old Aidan does and is angry.

"They are going through some hard stuff along with me," Renee Hames said.

Saturday's focus was on celebrating David Hames and all the love he gave everyone here. And it's that love his friends and family say will always keep David in their hearts.

"I have no regrets. David and I had an amazing marriage and I can't be sad about any of that. I’m sad I’ve lost my soul mate and my best friend," Renee said.

Renee Hames says she isn’t really sure what is next for her and her boys. But she says she plans to finish the video projects David Hames was working on when he died.