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Please
accept out most deepest sympathy from Pastors Rudy & Esther Soto and
Temple Emanuel Christian Church in Galveston, TX. When we received
news of this tragedy, everyone involved were in our prayers, and will remain.
It was God's pleasure to have taken these precious souls, though it is
very hard to accept. Jerry, may you rest in God's peace. Please know that
if we may help in any way, please feel free to call by contacting us at
this e-mail. God Bless You!
We love you!
Jerry- I never had the
opportunity to meet you, and that, Jerry, I regret. I am in Student
Council at Lamar, and have heard about the hard work and leadership that
you showed during your time here. I am also planning on going to
A&M, and most likely, the Corps. You will forever
be a role model in my life, even though I never knew you. The example
that you have set is forever going to be what I measure a part of myself
to. People talk about the dedication you had to the things that you
believed in. I feel priveledged that I can take part in a lot of those
things. The students and
teachers of Lamar High School will never forget your hardwork and dedication.
The students of Texas A&M University will never forget your leadership.
I will never forget the example that you have set for me. We'll miss you.
I personally didn't know
Jerry, but as a Viking and an Aggie I want to express my condolences to
Jerry's family and close friends. When I heard the news early Thursday morning that Bonfire
had collapsed it just made me sick to my stomach. When I found out
that someone from Lamar had died it made me even sicker. When a tragic
event like this occurs,
it makes you realize how precious life is and that it shouldn't be taken
for granted. It could have happened to anyone else. I just
ask that you pray for Jerry's family and
ask that they get through this tough time. From some of the articles I
have read, it seems that Jerry really loved participating in Bonfire and
attending A&M. It
is such a shame that a great persons life had to end so soon.
Where should I begin...
Youth Group at Mid-Cities Bible Church. Wow. Everyone involved with
that knows what I am talking about. He always went to everything:
sand volleyball at church, bible study at the white's, Pete's house, TACO
BELL (lunch and dinner), every activity with the Jr. High, Jeremy and Wanda's
house, and the list goes on.
his "Gump-isms" (That's my boat). his constant hugs (i don't know
of one girl that didn't enjoy getting a hug from him). how he always
showed respect to everyone; he never called an adult by their first name
(unless they asked him too, sometimes he still wouldn't.) going to
church was always a joy for him, he never seemed sad about anything; he
loves God so much; you would often wonder how he had time to do all that
he did and still make time for God, but that's how he was: He had
a servant's heart, and that's how he lived his life: by God and for God.
I recall he and my brother, Jacob, always wrestling about something. they
loved to talk about football, and yes, there is still a hole in the wall
in our youth house. for some reason, they patch it up every year, but it
reopens itself and remains a hole. This occured when Jer threw Jake over
him and [Jake] got in between Jer and the wall, and there is a hole large
enough for one massive arm to fit in :)
Bible study. I don't recall him misssing one. He was always there, he and
his brother, Michael (Mike); unless work got in the way. And they
always had something to contribute, whether it was insight about a passage
we were studying or a story "that sort-of was an analogy" to what we were
reading. He always had a way of explaining things in another aspect that
got you thinkin'.
He loved A&M. That was his "third life" so to speak. God came first,
family and friends second, and then dear ol' Aggie Land. No matter
how big the lashings he received from friends at other universities, he
stood his ground with A&M. I remember when he came home for the
first weekend with a shaved head (the corps). We all had to laugh because
he took a small amount of pride in how his hair was coifed. He didn't care,
it was a small price to pay for what was to be ahead of him. He loved
every minute of his life, and all
of us enjoyed every minute with him. We know he lived his life for
the Glory of God, and I think that was one of the only things he would
want to be remembered by. We
love you very much, Jer.
May God bless your family
in this time of tragedy.You are still a great role model for all
young people. I'm so sorry this happened to all of you, I know you all
had such a bright future but God needed you more. I really feel that by
the way this has brought people together, you are still a shining star.
God bless all of you.
To the Family, Friends
& Corps of Jerry Self,
I wanted to extend my condolences to you and the rest of your compatriots
at the loss of your classmate Jerry Self. The Academy has instilled
in many of us here a great love for their classmates. I can only
imagine if some of my brothers here ever passing away and it is a tough
thought to bear. Texas A&M has a closeness very similar to this
and I admire the institution greatly for it. The loss of Jerry is
like losing a brother. Jerry was not only a man of character, a man
of God, but a man of the flag. He was a selfless man,
a brother-in-arms for his country. I never had the pleasure of knowing
him, and I am at loss for that. Life and liberty are the truly great
things worth fighting for, and blessed are those who protect them.
On that day, we all lost a brother.
Rejoice Heaven for you have recieved a soldier. Godspeed Jerry Self, I
salute you.
We did not personally
know Jerry, but we know he had to be special to be an Aggie. No words
can express our sorrow, nor can we possibly understand your pain--we can't
imagine what it must be like to lose a child! Please know that because
you are a part of the Aggie family, there is so much unconditional love
and acceptance for you. There are more people out here
than you can imagine who are ready and willing to help you in your time
of need and who are praying for you, your family, and your friends.
If you need ANYTHING, just ask; we're here for you. With God's grace,
our entire Aggie family will get through this. Keep the spirit. GOD
BLESS!
-Steve
and Darnell Nesrsta (parents of Dana, class of '99), stevenes@flash.net
I did not know Jerry.
I wanted to send my condolences to his family. My heart has been
so heavy since I heard the news. I cannot imagine the pain they are
feeling. I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Our family never spent
large quantities of time with Jerry, but the time we did have endeared
him to us. His ever-present smile, fun-loving personality, and heart
for God will forever remain in our memories. He helped lead the junior
high boys small group at our church (Mid-Cities Bible Church of Bedford)
during his summers off from A&M. Those boys loved him like
a big brother. My husband and I, and our two sons and daughter will
miss him terribly. We hold his family up in prayer.