MEMORIES OF JERRY SELF
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I didn't know Jerry.  My mom works with his aunt Pam.  I have been following this tragedy online (not much on the news all the way up here in North Dakota).  I have had alot of friends that have gone to A & M and thought it was just horrible that something like this could possibly happen. All that I have read about Jerry is just amazing. He must have
been really special to have such a wide variety of people saying so many good things about him. He and his family are in my prayers.
-Sandra Harrop, crbbge42@minot.com
.....And if I should go while you are still here; know that I live on vibrating to a different measure.
Behind a thin vail that you can not see through.
You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I look forward to the day that we soar together again,
both aware of each other.
Until then live life to it's fulliest and when you need me
just whisper my name in your heart,
and know as that smile finds it's way across your face,
I will be there.
Always.....
-Unknown-
Jerry, you and your big smile will be missed.
-Lyndsey Ford (LHS ' 97), lkfordtcu@yahoo.com
Jerry was one of my best friends. He was my small group leader at Mid-Cities Bible Church during the summer, he always had an insight about our lesson and some of those I'll never forget. There aren't words to describe how much Jerry meant to me, he was my hero, he was my leader, but most of all, he was my friend, and I'll never forget him.
I love you, Jerry, and I can't wait to see you again.
-Joel Davis, 8th grader @ Mid-Cities Bible Church, joelsd@juno.com
HE HAD SUCH A BIG HEART.......HE WAS SO CONSIDERATE!!!!!!!!!!!
-JAMESON HURST, jamiebh@swbell.net
I did not know Jerry for a very long time. He was in my 8am intermediate basketball on Friday this semester. As one of only two girls in the class of twenty five guys, I felt a
little bit out of place at first. Jerry went out of his way to be nice to me and whenever we divided up into teams to scrimmage, he would play defense against me so that I
didn't have to play against some of the rougher guys in class. Every time he guarded me I ended up laughing almost the entire time at things he said and fogetting about the
game. He always had the biggest smile on his face, which at 8am on Friday is very difficult, and he was the guy in our class who took the time to talk to everyone. Although I did not have the chance to know Jerry for very long he was one of the nicest and funniest people I have met at A&M. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and
friends. He was an incredible guy and will be sorely missed.
-Marla Seargeant (A&M 2002), mss0292@labs.tamu.edu
When most people saw Jerry walking toward their direction they would think, "Aww, here comes Jerry."  But not me...When I saw Jerry walking toward me, my first thought was always, "Oh man, here comes trouble with a big, goofy grin on his face."  Jerry was my best friend for six years and I can honestly say that I will never meet or have a friend that was quite like him.
He has made a permanent impact on my life that is so hard to explain.  Jerry showed me how to live.  He taught me what it is to live as a Christian in a world that wants you to do otherwise.
He showed me what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was and I'm sure he didn't even know it.  Simply by seeing and being with him everyday, and seeing how he interacted with other people I could see the love of Christ overflowing in him and that is what allowed him to love so many and so unconditionally.  I am not trying to say that he was perfect, but he was someone who truly put God first in their life.  Like I said, Jerry was my best friend, and I am an only child so he was like a brother to me.  And I have never felt more alone even though I am surrounded by many.  My heart and prayers go to Jacki, Mike, and Michael,and their family, as well as my family and the rest of Jerry's friends.  But I don't grieve for Jerry himself.  Though Jerry's death is such a loss for us, I can promise you that for him it was a sweet release.  I know that Jerry believed that this world is where he lived, but it is not his home.  He is home now and he is just waiting for us to get there.  I love Jerry more than anything and I can't wait to see him again.  This tragedy has brought the nation to its knees.  And I think Jerry deserves no less than for everyone to know what an incredible person he was.  When I drive down the street and see a flag at half-staff, I realize that all the flags across the nation do the same and I know they do this for my best friend.  Then I realize what he meant to the entire nation and how his death will surely make thousands come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and I have never been more proud and thankful to have Jerry Self as such an enormous part of my life.  I love you Jerry, and I miss you, but I will see you soon enough.
-Beau Riley (LHS '97), bworlow@mindspring.com
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING AND GETTING TO KNOW JERRY AT CHURCH CAMP THIS PAST SUMMER.  WE WERE COUNSELORS AT A YOUTH CAMP.   I REMEMBER THINKING AT THE TIME WHAT A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN HE WAS, SO PATIENT AND GIFTED IN WORKING WITH THE YOUTH . HE WAS ALWAYS HAPPY , AND IF YOU WERE AROUND HIM YOU  COULDN'T  HELP BUT HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF SUCH A LOSS.  OUR FAMILY ALSO SUFFERED THE LOSS OF A NEPHEW AT THIS AGE.  HE SHARED MANY OF THE WONDERFUL CHARACTERISTICS THAT JERRY HAD AND I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE  GOD MUST HAVE A LOT OF WORK IN HEAVEN. . . . . .AND HAS CALLED SOME OF HIS ANGELS HOME. GOD BLESS JERRY AND ALL THOSE WHOSE LIFE HE TOUCHED.
-DEBBIE DUER (A&M '77), gtduer@earthlink.net
even though i did not know him, i've heard he was a special person and loving friend. i know now that he is one of our aggie angels and will have his bonfire in heaven. god bless the family and friends touched by this.
-melissa tyroch (A&M '03), mmt1705@labs.tamu.edu
My prayers are with Jerry and his family.
Sincerely,
Bartlett Ramsey
Aggie Mom
bramsey@angleton.isd.tenet.edu
To Jerry's family and friends:
My condolences go out the family and friends of Jerry Self.  I must truly say he was a 'one-of-a-kind' individual who will be greatly missed.
Especially by me.
Even though I had only known Jerry for a short while, it seemed like I had known him forever.  I met him this summer while dancing at Longhorn's in Ft. Worth.  It's so hard to find someone who has about the same dancing ability as you do and can keep up.  You usually don't find this ability in too many people you ask to dance, so I was pleasantly surprised.  We thought it was so awesome we could dance well together and at the same
time have so much in common.  As the bar had become crowded, we ended up losing each other and both of us leaving.  But remarkably later on, I ran in to Jerry again at Billy Bob's.  I could not believe he still remembered me or my name.  We danced the night a way and promised each other this time we would not leave without one another's phone  numbers.  We hung out a lot together the rest of the summer:  hanging out with his friends-teaching them how to dance, watching scary movies-playing miniature golf, long/late night talks about life-all the I-HOP activities, and dancing.  It was a lot of fun and I learned so much from him. I transferred to A&M just this fall semester and Jerry knew how big of an adjustment this was for me.  He always called me to make sure I was OK, and would come over to spend time with me so I would not be lonely since my roommates had not moved in yet.  During the semester, we would meet for lunch and try to get together when we could.  We decided to take the Aggie Wranglers jitterbug class together-I had never seen anyone get more excited about dancing in my life.  He absolutely loved it!  He usually knew most of the steps they were teaching us and loved showing off before class.  Whenever they would ask for demonstrators, he would give me this look-right then and there I knew there was no turning back, we were going to do it.  We wanted to take the second jitterbug class, but he knew it would be hard doing Bonfire at the same time.  He liked to dance, but he loved Bonfire.  So we decided to put-off lessons for now and the thoughts of trying out for the Aggie Wrangler dance team.
I ran in to him a few weeks ago at the Underground, we talked for a few minutes and as I left, we gave each other a hug.  We left each other with hugs that day, but he left me with so much more.  I never have learned so much from one individual-having faith in your beliefs, being true to yourself as well as a good Christian, living life to the fullest with every given moment you have and most of all, dance like you've never danced
before.  He was my dancing partner and there will be no other like him.  I thank God for the chance to have gotten to know Jerry and to become his friend, something I will treasure always and forever.
God Bless-
Stephanie Sinclair (A&M '01), sks78@gateway.net

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