MEMORIES OF JERRY
SELF
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I knew Jerry since
my sophomore year at A&M, but didn't really get to know him until this
past semester. I remember his smile, his hugs, and above all, his
red long johns that he insisted on wearing to his flag football games.
Each day I miss him
and think of him. I wish I could have gotten to know him a little
better, but I am thankful for the time I did spend with him. I remember
waiting with him and Tim at the front of the Quad for his outfit (Sq.17)
so everyone, dates and outfit members, could walk to Silver Tapps together.
He always greeted me with a big smile and a big hug whenever he saw me.
It didn't matter if he was busy doing something else, he always found time
to say hello.
Mr. and Mrs. Self,
you raised a great son, and he will always be remembered in my heart.
Well, it has been
two months and not a day has gone by that my thoughts have not included
Jerry and the other bonfire victims. I knew Jerry from Lamar, but
move my senior year and lost touch with him and many others.
When I heard the
news about the bonfire I was devastated. I did not see a list of
the names until the next afternoon on the news. I didn't even hear
his name, I just saw his picture and his smile and I couldn't hold back
the tears. I couldn't believe that the Lord had chosen such a beautiful
human being to take from this world. Jerry had so much going
for him and his absence is felt everyday. I am a Longhorn now, but
I will always be a Viking at heart.
That is the one thing
that will always keep me close with Jerry. We will always be Vikings, because
Viking Fight Never Dies!
I can't imagine losing
one of my sons, and I did not know Jerry Don. However, he was from my hometown
and graduated from both of my alma maters, and despite the fact that we
never met, his death feels like a personal blow.
Maybe it's because
the world seems like a better place when people like Jerry Don are in it,
and without them, it's a little darker. Some people are born, live on this
planet, and die without causing so much as a ripple in the water. The details
of their lives, the good and the bad, sink like a stone...quiet and out
of sight. That won't be possible with this young man. His passing has brought
about renewed remembrances of his life and how he lived it.
Jerry Don is living
proof of the "George Bailey" theory: that a person's life is connected
inextricably to those around him/her, and we're usually better off for
having been in their presence. Jimmy Stewart's character lived to see the
impact he had on others. My hope is that somewhere, somehow this young
man knows what he has meant to so many and that he is not forgotten. My
thoughts are with his parents and friends. He cannot die as long as you
remember him.
I never knew Jerry but
reading all the messages that have been written have touched me.
As a former LHS Grad. and married to a former Aggie it saddens me that
a wonderful young man was so near me and I never knew it. I have prayed
and will continue to pray for all the fallen angels of Aggie Land.
Even though I only met
Jerry this summer, I hold so many memories of him. I worked
with him at the Ballpark in Arlington this summer. I believe one
of the first conversations we had was about A&M and how cool Bonfire
was. It was funny then, when we all joked about how pyscho he acted
about it, and how much it meant to him. When I got to A&M, and
joined Bonfire Reload Crew, I finally realized how important that stack
of logs was, and why it meant so much to him.
After this summer
working together, we kept in contact at school. Being my first year,
it felt really great having such a great guy checking up on me and going
to lunch with my roommate and I, just being there for me. It was even neater
taking him to my first sorority grab-a-date party. We all went skating,
and that night I wasn't in the mood to skate at all. That was a great time
though, I remember Jerry grabbing my arm and making me get out there and
act like an idiot with him. I think that still was the greatest time
I have ever had this past semester. Afterwards, we all went to Swenson's,
where, we all just sat and talked. I really didn't know Jerry that
well until that night. As co-workers, standing in line, waiting to run
food to someone, you don't really get time to bond, but that night we did.
After that, I started
hanging out with a bunch of his underclassmen, who enjoyed the fact that
I could get them out of trouble by begging Jerry to be nice. He was
a giant teddy bear, but he wouldn't let me call him that in front of "the
guys."
The monday before
the accident, Jerry came inside the "cookie shack" to come talk to me and
take a break from working on Bonfire. He found a ride for me before
he left the site (seeing how it was 5 in the morning), so that I wouldn't
be walking back to my dorm by myself. That day, I had also given
him the shirt for the date party that we went to. It was so cute
how surprised he was at getting it. He said that it was his first
one ever, and he kept thanking me. That was super special, for him, and
me.
We talked that night
for a long time, and then, contrary to my begging, he left the site, so
he could go back and get some sleep, and be ready for the next night of
working. That was the last time that I saw him.
I cannot tell his
family enough, that I am so sorry for their loss. I know that it
feels so much worse to you, than it does to me, and that is very painful,
because I know that I think of him everyday. I am very sorry
that Jerry was one of the few people that I never really expressed to him
how much he meant to me. I will never let that happen again.
He was such a great friend to me. He looked out for me, and he really
touched my life. You all are in my prayers every night. We
will all miss him. I really
look forward to seeing
Jerry in heaven, because he was just so wonderful. He died doing
what he loved, where he loved being at, and with people that he loved.
He left a lot of good friends behind, and dear family, but he is only waiting
until we can all come see him again, and be together. I love Jerry
so much......You all are in my prayers.
I didn't know Jerry personally,
but as a member of the ViQueen Drill Team, I felt as if I knew all of our
football players. Many Thursday afternoons were spent decorating
locker rooms and writing notes of encouragement for the game to come.
As a Viking and a third generation Aggie I am saddened with the loss of
such a wonderful representative of what both schools stand for- excellence
and camaraderie. God Bless.
Today (1/6/00) I met
Mike Self, Jerry Don's father, while making a sales call on the company
he works at in Arlington. Words can never express the pain and sorrow
that you feel or that the community feels for the loss of Jerry Don.
We have all cried over the loss of Jerry Don and the other fine young people
and the joy they brought to so many family and friends. My heart
and prayers have been with you and will continue.
I HAVE KNOWN HIS FATHER
SINCE THE THIRD GRADE,HIS MOM SINCE THEY GOT MARRIED AND JERRY SINCE HE
WAS BORN. I CAN'T BEGIN TO WRITE WHAT I FEEL EXCEPT THAT IF I HAD BEEN
BLESSED WITH A SON I WOULD HAVE LIKED HIM TO BE LIKE JERRY. HE WASN'T PERFECT
BUT WAS SO SPECIAL. ONCE AT A NEW YEAR'S PARTY AT HIS PARENTS HOUSE
MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS MUCH YOUNGER THAN JERRY WAS THE ONLY CHILD THERE. JERRY
WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO BE NICE TO HER AND MAKE HER FEEL WELCOME.
THAT IS JERRY, NO
ONE ASKED HIM TO DO THAT HE JUST DID IT. I WILL NEVER FORGET JERRY, HIS
MEMORY WILL LIVE AS LONG AS I DO AND ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
Jerry... I will miss
you. During our time at Lamar, I looked up to you and to your wonderful
personality. You were a saint to those in need and to your friends.
You brought out the best in everyone around you. I will remember
the laughs and the joy you gave myself and others, and I
will always remember
the smile forever embedded on your face. You were a role model to many,
even myself. Your passion for life will not be forgot. If others
could only give like you gave, love like you loved, and live like you lived,
what a wonderful place this would be... You have not left us, because you
will always be in our hearts. Your
memories will comfort
us in times of sadness, and give us times of joy. We shall all continue
on in this world, knowing you are in a better place... Heaven.
I knew Jerry from attending
church with him at Mid Cities Bible Church. I am an old Ag (Class of '90)
and always enjoyed visiting with Jerry everytime he came into town about
what was happening down there.
When he graduated
from Lamar, I remember never letting up on him
about making the
decision to go to A&M because I knew he would be the type of guy that
would make a difference down there.
Not only did Jerry
make a difference at A&M, but he has made a difference in the lives
of millions. I was privileged to sing
at Jerry's funeral,
something I hope to never have the "privilege"
of again. The
words to this song went as follows:
There is a love that
I have known, it's a revelation;
Here in my life it
stands alone, as my sole salvation;
A refuge I hold onto,
the one thing that sees me through.
It comes from the
one who bled and died, to be my forgiver;
It flowed from His
hands, His feet, His sides, into a river;
I don't know where
I would be, if He hadn't rescued me.
Heaven and earth may
pass away, but I know I've found amazing Grace;
And I'm only waiting
for the day, that I can see Jesus face to face;
I want to see Jesus
face to face.
He has been faithful
through the years, He has never wavered;
He's calmed every
storm and dried my tears, He's my only savior;
I don't know where
I would be, if He hadn't rescued me.
Heaven and earth may
pass away, but I know I've found Amazing Grace;
And I'm only waiting
for the day, when I can see Jesus face to face,
Jerry's with Jesus.....FACE
TO FACE!
And that's exactly
where Jerry desired to be. He lived each day
as if it was his
last...to the fullest and for Christ. He also lived
each day to make
a difference in someone else's life, just in case it was their last.
My single prayer is that Christ will use this horrible event to bring Jerry's
family, friends, and the rest of the world to Him.
I miss you Jerry.
I'm proud of who you are. I pray my two boys will
grow up at Mid Cities
learning about the type of guy you tried to be and that they will strive
for the same.
Until
we meet again!
Jud Chappell
(with Garett on my
lap)
Friend, Fellow believer,
and Aggie '90
jud_jen@swbell.net
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