MEMORIES OF JERRY
SELF
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I barely knew Jerry
Self. I knew that he was an incredible person because one of my dearest
friends, Debbie Riley, told me he was. I also knew that my beloved,
Beau, was his best friend. If all of that were not true, I would
still know he was and incredible person. I feel blessed to have known
him at all.
I met Jerry when Beau
brought him to our church to visit. I taught the college class at
the time and just remember what a breath of fresh air he was. So
willing to participate, so willing to share, so clearly a child of God.
I rest in the fact
that I will meet Jerry again, and, then, I will get to know him better.
I thank God that he's my brother in Christ.
Jerry is often remembered
with a smile that seemed to go on forever and a huge heart to accompany
it. He was a terrific friend to all that knew him and loved the Lord
with everything he had. That has been made very clear by everyone
that was close to him. How proud his parents must feel to know that
their son led such a "Heaven Impacting" life. I hope that when I
leave this earth and go to Heaven the people I leave behind will have half
the things to say about me that were said about Jerry. He left a
lasting impression on those around him that will never be altered. Whether
it was LHS, Christ, A&M, or his friends Jerry always gave 110% at everything
he did. We will miss you Jerry!
Jerry,
Words can't even
say how much you will be missed. Every memory I have of you always
makes me smile. Each time I think of you I remember how you always,
always had a smile on your face. You just don't know how that simple
smile effected people. You made
everyone around you
so happy and joyful all of the time.
And how can we ever
forget you continuous determination. Each and every task you participated
in was done with one hundred percent effort. Because of this you
inspired everyone around you to work just as hard. If it was with
school, stu co or football you always made sure you were accomplishing
it completely. There are very few individuals that have such a desire
to do so much and I always admired you for that and I always will.
I will miss you so
much Jerry, but I know you are exactly were you want to be!! I love
you and miss you.
Jerry,
I love you, man. You always had a way to make me laugh even when you weren't
trying to. I always admired your hard work and unselfishness. I will remember
you always for your kindness and compassion. Thanks for the memories.
Jer, it's been two weeks
since the accident. I'm sorry this has taken so long, but I know
you understand. I'll never forget the first time you came home with
Beau. Coach and I were so impressed with you! We told Beau
that we wanted to encourage the friendship. That was no problem with
Beau, you made him laugh and he really enjoyed spending time with you.
The last time we
saw you was in August. Beau had already left for two a days and you
came by just to see Coach and me, but that was just your way wasn't it
Jer. You
just cared about
everyone all the time. There are a thousand memories in between those
two times and I am thankful for that. I have read every word on this
web site and I am sorry for those who write and say they did not know you.
You were pure joy. Our pain is almost unbearable, but I'm thankful
for the pain because I know that it is there because you were so much a
part of our lives. I will miss seeing your smiling face at our dinner
table. I will
miss going upstairs and surveying the incredible mess you and Beau could
leave after a night
of Nintendo. I will miss vacuuming sand dunes out of the dryer,
off the floor, out of the car, after all night sand volleyball. I
will miss hearing you honk in the drive way. I will miss you every
day for the rest of my life. I love you Jer.
-Mama
Riley
Jacki and Mike,
Thank you for sharing
your son with us. We love him more than you will ever know.
He was God's gift to you and you made Him proud. He touched so many
lives! So many young people counted him as their best friend! That
is incredible! He lived life to the fullest and was a shining example
to all who knew him. As hard as it is for all of us who are left
behind, he is in Heaven and he spent his short 20 years preparing to get
there. As Beau said the day after the accident, "We're all in the same
race, Jerry just crossed the finish line before us." Jerry ran the
good race, and now it's our turn, all his family and friends, to take the
baton and honor Jerry's memory by living in Christ, as he did. You
have heard this a thousand times in the last two weeks, but always know
that you can count on us if you need anything. We love you both and pray
for God to give you strength.
-Bill,
Debbie and Beau
Michael,
Jerry loved you very
much. I know that there was a fair amount of sibling rivalry going
on between you two, but it did not diminish his care and concern for you.
I can't tell you the times he would be over at the house and we would talk
about you. You and Jerry were like night and day, and therefore he
did not always understand what made you tick. He was really proud
of you when you made the decision to join the army. I know we won't get
to see a lot of you for a while, but always remember that our door is always
open for you. We love you!
I only had the honor
of meeting Jerry a couple of time when he came to visit his mom Jacki at
the office, but the thing that struck me the most was his wonderful beautiful
smile. That
smile had a way of making you feel better no matter what kind of a day
you were having. From all that his mom has said about him and all
that I have read he
was a great person,
the kind of young man that made the world a better place just by his being
in it. His mom was so proud of him, her face just glowed when he
was
around or when she
was talking to him or about him. You raised a wonderful son Jacki
and all that knew him will never forget him. God has a special place
for Jerry, I
wouldn't be suprised
when I get to heaven to find out that he is the head Angel. I love
you Jacki and my heart goes out to you and your family. Never hesitate
to ask me if
you need anything.
I did not know Jerry
Self. I did not know any of the other eleven Aggies who died that fateful
morning. When I heard the news that the Bonfire had collapsed my heart
sank. I have a brother who attends A&M and had no idea if he was at
the stack or not. He wasn't. I felt some relief BUT knowing of all the
lives that had been lost and all the people that had been injured, I felt
great sorrow. From all the letters I have read, Jerry
seems to have been
a wonderful human being with a kind heart. Everything that has been
said about him has
brought me to tears, I wish I could have known him! Someday I hope to ba
an Aggie, and some day I hope to be a part of building the stack; I just
want the Self family and the families of all the other Aggies who have
gone, that each log added to the stack will be in memory of them and their
AWESOME Aggie Spirit!
I, like many who have
written, did not know Jerry. My sister and my husband are Aggies,
so although I am a Baylor alumnae, that Aggie spirit wears off on me.
My husband was a member of the Corps of Cadets and worked on Bonfire himself.
More importantly, though, I can say that Jerry & I are siblings in
Christ. Reading these tributes and about his life has put such a
challenge into mine. I know that when I was his age that all of the
wonderful things
said about his life could not have been said about mine. When I think
of a tragedy like this ever happening to one of my daughters, I think the
thing that would comfort me the most is hearing of how their fervor and
love for Christ impacted so many people. There is no doubt that Jerry
had that impact. I can truly tell you, that even in death, Jerry
has impacted me to be more single-minded and bold in showing my love for
Christ to others, especially my daughters. May the peace and love
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. You will continue to be in
my husband's and my prayers.
I had the privilege of
meeting Jerry at the beginning of this semester. He was one outstanding
individual. He had one of those personalities that could win you
over just like that. I loved hanging out with him. I also loved
that no matter how many people were around him, he would always make time
to talk to me when he saw me, and I'm sure that's the case with everyone.
It seemed like every single time I talked to Tim on
the phone, I'd end
up talking to Jerry too because he was always around. He would just
get on the phone
and start asking me how I'm doing and just be the sweet guy he was!
I've heard many remarks about his huge smile and how it always seemed to
be there. I knew Jerry for a lesser amount of time than most, but
can say that every time I saw him that big grin was lighting up his face.
By going to football games and yell with he and his friends, I saw how
much the Aggie Spirit burned inside of him. It was great how he
loved it all so much
and was so involved in everything yet he still made the Lord a priority
in his life. I really admired him for that. I enjoyed every
second of the
time I got to spend
with Jerry; I only wish I had more time with him to make more memories.
To the family, I extend my deepest condolences. You raised a great young
man! He will never be forgotten.
I never knew Jerry personally,
until I heard what happened at A&M. Then I heard all the good
things about this guy; but I was truly amazed when I realized that the
newspapers were speaking of Michael's older brother, and I felt an urge
to say something. My name is Jorge Espinoza, and I know Michael since
our 11th grade english class at Lamar, and I cannot imagine but just realize
that he and his family must be passing through a lot of turmoil right about
now. I realize your suffering friend, yet one must say this young
man is in the best place that God could ever create, in Heaven. Mike
and family, I recognize your pain, but just remember that thank God you
are still alive, with your heart pumping full of health, and that life
goes on and it doesn't stop, so don't let anything stop you either.
I wish the Self family the best that one could wish.
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