MEMORIES OF JERRY SELF
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To Jerry's Family:
Hi!! I know that you don't know me, but I just wanted to let you know, that I am here for you and I will remember to keep you in my prayers. Good luck in the future and God Bless You!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Luce
Homechik2000@aol.com
I stumbled across your website because my son plays for Cooper and I was looking for information on Arlington Lamar football.  My son Shane Engel was one of Jerry's "pissheads" in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M.  The first time that we met Jerry, they were both in Squadron 13.  The event was an outfit barbeque.  While most of the "fish" stood around away from the upper classmen, Jerry was mingling and getting to know
everyone.  I was most impressed with how comfortable he was around people, and how quick he was to smile and make others feel comfortable. Shane told me then, that Jerry was the best fish they had in the unit and that he really liked him.

When squadron 13 was disbanded, Jerry and Shane went to Squadron 17 together.  My wife and I had the opportunity to sit across from Jerry at the Squadron luncheon on that parents weekend.  I do not believe that Jerry has ever met a stranger.  He really had a charming personality.  He was a young man that was going places, and was a real leader.

When Shane called that morning and told us that Jerry had died, we cried.  Still today, we do not fully understand why something so tragic had to happen to such a fine young man.  Someday, my first question to the Lord will be, Why?  Even today, as I write this I hurt for Jerry's parents and know the emptyness that they must still feel, especially, having just passed the anniversary of the accident.  You are still in our prayers.  You are
to be commended for the fine young man that you raised in this life, and for the witness and testimony that he still is even in death.  May God bless you in these days ahead.
 

Sincerely,
Galen D. Engel
Abilene, TX
jbsupply@surftx.net
Dear Mr.Self,
I just wanted  to tell you that I read the article in the Dallas paper on November 19. That article really touched me.  I noticed that your sons birthday is only 3 days away.  No I am not a student at A&M, but I hope to be one day. I attend a junior college in Tomball, TX. But the reason I am writing is to tell you that I will pray for you in hopes that things will get better for you. And to also let you know that there are people out
there who do think about those who have lost family members. At least I do.
I hope you have a great holiday this year. I know it will be hard, but like I said I will be praying for you.
-Brandi Morris
branmo3787@aol.com
The Self Family,

I'm sorry I never got a chance to meet Jerry even though we walked through the same halls of Lamar High School and Texas A&M University.  Never have I seen a person have such a strong impact on such a big community and that says alot about Jerry and his parents who raised him. But the thing that matters the most is that Jerry lost his life doing something that he loved, and took a lot of pride in doing, and there is no better way to leave here when you have investing your time into something that you love. My heart
goes out to the Self family, stay strong, he is in gods hands now. Your in my prayers.

Aaron Scott Oliver
(LHS '94) (A&M '99)
Aoliver@pisd.edu
WE ALL MISS YOU.....AND WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU....
Anecia Murphy
Hearne, TX
LDYKES1011@aol.com

Self Family,

I played football with your son and I want y'all to know that you had trained him up well.  He showed people the love of Christ and he always put others before himself.  I am thankful for the times that I had with your son.  Jerry was a blessing in my life.

Thanks,
Matt McNew (LHS '96)
matt.l.mcnew.1@nd.edu
Jerry was an unforgettable person and friend. His dad Mike and my dad are really good friends and Jerry use to always come over for those "late night pool parties". Jerry never excluded anyone and was always there to help another out. I remember one time at one of the parties, we needed to pump the volleyballs up with air, and Jerry volunteered, and of course my parents convinced me into riding with him to the store, (knowing i had a crush on him) we rode to the store, with the country music blaring of course. Jerry sang at the top of his lungs the whole way there. Ever since that night I didn't just look at Jerry as a crush, I saw him as a wonderful person, inside and out. Its unfortunate that he is gone now, but at least he's in an awesome place where he can sing those country songs at the top of his lungs and watch over all of his companions, family and friends.
-Kendall Brown
Sumter, SC
clemson99@hotmail.com
I knew Jerry pretty well.  He was kind and thoughtful, I didn't have very many friends so I really apreciated that fact. I moved away from Arlington in 1998, I cant believe I am hearing about this 3 years later. I have had many of my friends friends talk about that bonfire tradition. I wish people didn't have to get hurt or killed because of things that might have been avoided. I have lost a few friends now; it makes you wonder whats the point, why them and not me. I guess no one knows but I do believe in heaven, especially for good people like Jerry.
-Thomas Ross
tross@elp.rr.com
Jerry-
My family is going to take a vacation to Schlitterbaun this year.  When they told me, the first thing I thought of was you.  I remember when I was in seventh grade, and we went on the trip to Schlitterbaun.  It was my first real youth group activity, and I was so excited.  You were a sophomore or a junior then, and you were always in trouble.  Jeremy was so mad when he caught you guys in the girls room.  I remember how funny it was when you made fun of the guy that ran the "Roach Motel" (Habib) and his "cleaning lady."  I remember how mad "Habib" was when he caught you and Jono throwing chairs into the pool.  But most of all, I remember when these guys from a different church were making fun of us, and I kept yelling for you to come outside, and one of the guys said, "Come on, let's get out of here.  She's yelling for her brother!"  Then this six-foot tall mass of football player comes outside and is like, "What?  We're watching the Real World, okay."  I was so proud at that moment, because someone had thought that you were my older brother.  I always wanted you to be my brother, and I always thought of you that way.  I know it's been a while since the Bonfire, but I still think of you every day.  I hope that when I die, you are the first person I see.  And take good care of Jason.  We miss both of you so much.  I'll see you, 34.
-Calah Taylor, MCBC
dmeyer@ccanet.org
I was looking around at the bonfire memorial webpage and I decided to look at Jerry's page.  Although I did not know him, I am an Aggie now and I'm also from Arlington.  I was still a senior at Martin when I heard of the tragedy, and I remember hearing everyone talk about their fallen friends as if everyone knew each other, that's when I knew I had to go there.  It looks like everyone who knew him was blessed.  I pray that time has healed your pain and that you know that you have the whole Aggie Family behind you! I just wanted to let the family know that I am still praying for you and I always will!  God Bless You!!
-Jessica Christina Noelle Coleman
Arlington, TX
jessaggie04@hotmail.com
Jerry,

I am sorry it has taken me almost two years to write this.  I know we have had our ups and downs but all I want to say is that I love you.  I know it probably wouldn't happen if the bonfire accident happened just because of who we were.  Now that l look back I wish I could have told you to your face.

I can't express how proud I am of you for all that you did for me, mom, dad, memaw, the rest of the family, and everyone else. I can't tell you how happy I was knowing I was going to come down to A&M to visit you and for the bonfire, but when Dad woke me up crying saying "the stack had fell" and he couldn't get a hold of you my heart dropped.  And
then when I saw Jeff in the state that he was, I couldn't hold it in.  I couldn't believe that it could happen.

In basic training I looked foward to talking to you and telling you all the things that I was doing.  Jeff told me later that you were so proud of me and that you were in the same boat about looking foward to my calls.

I talk about you all the time.  You wouldn't believe how much I have become an A&M fan now.  You have opened my eyes to life.  I pray that one day we will be together and I will be able to tell you all of this face to face.

Instead of writing about all the memories I have (good and bad) I want to let you and everybody else hear what I should have told you years ago.  I thank you for who you are and what you have done. To all those that have posted prayers, thoughts, and memories, I want to thank you and let you know that the Self family appreciates every letter.
To all those that knew Jerry personally, I want to thank you for putting up with him and making him who he was.

God bless all.
Gig 'em.

                                                          -Michael Self
(Jerry's Brother)
Muddflingger@cs.com

I remember the summer of 1999, I was 11 years old and was looking forward to going to church camp. I arrived there to a tall, handsome, young man. That man was Jerry. I remember all the little girls always looking up to him and wanting to always be around him, we all thought he was so cute. Jerry ended up being my small groups leader and we met every day in a little room, his group of boys and my cabin of girls, we always sat around and laughed and played games. I still remember his smile as if I saw him just a few minutes ago. I remember him up on the stage for the talent show singing "she's a brick house..." and dancing around, having the time of his life with a few of the other camp counselors. Every time I hear that song I still am reminded of him. I also still have a letter that he had wrote to him before I left to go back home. It reads: "Thanks for being a great camper. You're a cute girl and I hope to hear from y'all again. Remember the yellow group. Jerry." Only if I could of gone back to camp the next summer, jumping out of the car looking up to that same man that I spent that week of summer with. He was the best camp counselor I've ever had and will have and he was truly an amazing guy. It's such a great privilege to know such a great person. He is missed and loved by many. I'll see you in heaven, Jerry.
-Kelly Rolston
kellygurl1313@comcast.net

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