Tributes pour in for 'wonderful, caring, loving family' as Texas parents and two sons, 11 and 7, are lost at sea off Alaska coast as it emerges eldest son survived brain surgery just three years ago

Tributes have begun pouring in for a 'wonderful' Texas couple and their two young sons who are lost at sea after their boat capsized off the Alaskan coast.

Mary, 37, and David Maynard, 42, as well as their two sons, Colton, 11, and seven-year-old Brantley, were on a 28ft aluminum vessel with four others near Homer on Saturday when it began taking on water at 7pm, according to Travis Magee from the Coast Guard. 

The ship - Salty Sea - responded to a radio call for help before rescue personnel were able to save four people stranded in a life raft in the freezing waters but despite tireless efforts from the Coast Guard and Alaska Wildlife Troopers, the Texan family remain missing and are feared dead.

The tragedy also comes just three years after young Colton received life-saving brain surgery. 

Family friend Stetson Chase provided a heartbreaking statement on Facebook Monday on behalf of Mary Maynard’s parents, confirming: 'Mary, David and their babies have not been found. They have air searches as well as boaters to try to bring them home. This is tragic'.

The family of four from Texas love to travel and were visiting friends in Alaska when they got lost at sea

Pictured: Mary, 37, and David Maynard, 42, as well as their two sons, Colton (right), 11, and seven-year-old Brantley (left)

Colton suffered from epilepsy for years, and underwent brain surgery in 2021

 'I can vouch for many that they were a wonderful, caring, and loving family that deserves to be brought home,' he added.

'During this time if we could all come together to pray for the best possible outcome, it would be greatly appreciated'. 

Another associate of David's also took to Facebook to share an impassioned message.

'This his is absolutely devastating, the last time David Maynard messaged me it was to let me know he was praying for my daughter Ashlee when she was having her brain surgery,' she wrote.

'This is heart breaking! I met David when I began my career with TDCJ, yall lift their families up in prayer!'   

Mary and David are both from Troy, Texas and raised their sons there, Christi Wells told the Anchorage Daily News.

She noted that Colton and Brantley both played soccer and baseball, and said that Mary, 37, worked as a traveling nurse while David, 42, stayed home with their children and ran a lawn care business.

The family has already been through a lot, with Colton suffering from epilepsy for years before he underwent brain surgery in 2021, Mary posted at the time. 

The family loved to travel and spend time with family and friends, which is what Wells said they were doing in Alaska. 

In a heartbreaking final post on Facebook, David shared photos of the scenery in Alaska - showing mountains and a bear - writing on Tuesday: 'After four days in Alaska, I FINALLY got to see my first bear!!!!

'No picture can ever show just how beautiful this place truly is!!!!!' 

Cassandra Martin, a longtime family friend, said she was left heartbroken when she heard what happened. 

She told KWTX it's 'hard to believe that this could be real... she and her husband and her boys are all really beloved members of our community.'

Another family friend, Jennifer York, wrote on Facebook that she needs 'God to work a miracle in finding these four beautiful individuals.'

'Please lift Mary's mom Charlotte and the whole family in your prayers during this difficult time,' she added. 

In a heartbreaking final post on Facebook, David shared photos of the scenery in Alaska and expressed his excitement about seeing a bear 

Family friend Cassandra Martin said she was left heartbroken when she heard the news 

Mary and David Maynard, as well as their two sons, 11-year-old Colton and seven-year-old Brantley, are lost at sea

Mary and David are both from Troy, Texas and raised their sons there

An online fundraiser has also been set up to help raise money for the family.

'The Mayards are not just friends, they are family to me and a lot of others,' it says.

'Mary’s parents are still there hoping to bring them home. This family is going through a lot right now. 

'We are asking for prayers and donations if you can, to help with unexpected expenses that the family would have to cover so suddenly. 

'The Maynards left a huge imprint on the many people, from the laughter they brought us, the love and family-oriented connection they provided.

'It is indescribable the void that will be left behind, but I know if we come together as a family and a community, they would know how much they meant to everyone'.

As of Tuesday morning, it had raised more than $10,000 for the family. 

The Coast Guard were searching the waters off the coast of Homer, Alaska, for the family using a helicopter, plane, cutter and two other vessels. 

But search efforts were suspended at around 6pm on Sunday. 

'Any time we make a decision to suspend a search and rescue case is a very difficult one to make,' Coast Guard Petty Officer Shannon Kerney told KCEN-TV, noting that the water was 51 degrees when the boat capsized.

The waves were at just two feet, and wind speeds were at less than five knots, according to the Anchorage Daily News. 

'Cases that are suspended, they're only suspended pending the development of new information,' Kerney added.

'If anything comes to light, any new information that we get, we're more than happy and willing to go out and continue our search.

'Our hearts are definitely with the families right now as they grieve.'