An Article by Billy Dale
He asked if he could visit me at my home, and of course, I said yes.
Johnny was struggling with Myeloma, a cancer that affects bone marrow in the legs that usually does not end well. Johnny knew this, but he remained positive saying,
"God is blessing me so much I feel like I'm cheating!!!”
Johnny had heard that Benny Pace, Jim Kay, and Billy Dale, all T-ring recipients, were completing the NCAA and UT compliance process to form a 501 (c) (3) to fulfill two missions.
To share the history of Longhorn sports and to offer temporary financial assistance to qualifying former Longhorn student-athletes, managers, trainers, support staff, and their immediate families.
At some point in the 4th quarter of our lives, most of us reflect on our life journey and prepare ourselves mentally for the end of life; I have done so, and so had Johnny Lam Jones. Johnny was ready to meet his maker.
He mentioned with a heavy heart and a prayerful soul that he had asked for forgiveness and absolution from his sins, and he knew his spirit had been touched and his prayers answered.
An epiphany is an incredible life-changing experience that I have experienced, so I knew when Johnny started talking about the proudest moment in his life that it was epiphany-driven.
Many may think Johnny is proudest of his Olympic gold medal, his many great moments as a Longhorn football player and track star, or being the first NFL draft choice to get a $1,000,000 bonus, but you're mistaken. On this day at my home, his fondest memory was of his high school track team in Lampasas. He brought a video that he produced to celebrate this moment, and we watched it.
He said "This video helped me Turn Memories into Blessings."
Johnny Lam Jones asked TLSN to share his story about this happy moment in his life, and he wanted TLSN to share his biblical story of "I was lost, but now I am found."
He wanted to share a simple moment that was not motivated by money, self-promotion, or self-centered intentions. For Johnny, it is a moment of sports purity. It is what all team sports should be about. The team wins, not an individual.
Johnny's happiest moment was helping his foxhole teammates win the 4 x 400-meter relay. A relay that is still discussed in the history of high school track! For Johnny Lam Jones, the most critical moment in his life was the track victory of the high school team.
EPILOGUE
Johnny and I became friends, and his spirit has touched me from time to time. It did last night! I woke up thinking of Johnny, and this Facebook article is the result. I did my best to share Johnny's journey. He read the TLSN website comments and approved them until his death.
Here is the link to his story: The History of Longhorn Sports
Many attended Lam's funeral, and after pastor and Longhorn great football player Herkie Walls shared his passionate and compelling remembrance of Johnny Lam Jones, the attendees burnt orange blood boiled with Johnny's spirit, and all celebrated his life. Horns up!
He asked if he could visit me at my home, and of course, I said yes.
Johnny was struggling with Myeloma, a cancer that affects bone marrow in the legs that usually does not end well. Johnny knew this, but he remained positive saying,
"God is blessing me so much I feel like I'm cheating!!!”
Johnny had heard that Benny Pace, Jim Kay, and Billy Dale, all T-ring recipients, were completing the NCAA and UT compliance process to form a 501 (c) (3) to fulfill two missions.
To share the history of Longhorn sports and to offer temporary financial assistance to qualifying former Longhorn student-athletes, managers, trainers, support staff, and their immediate families.
At some point in the 4th quarter of our lives, most of us reflect on our life journey and prepare ourselves mentally for the end of life; I have done so, and so had Johnny Lam Jones. Johnny was ready to meet his maker.
He mentioned with a heavy heart and a prayerful soul that he had asked for forgiveness and absolution from his sins, and he knew his spirit had been touched and his prayers answered.
An epiphany is an incredible life-changing experience that I have experienced, so I knew when Johnny started talking about the proudest moment in his life that it was epiphany-driven.
Many may think Johnny is proudest of his Olympic gold medal, his many great moments as a Longhorn football player and track star, or being the first NFL draft choice to get a $1,000,000 bonus, but you're mistaken. On this day at my home, his fondest memory was of his high school track team in Lampasas. He brought a video that he produced to celebrate this moment, and we watched it.
He said "This video helped me Turn Memories into Blessings."
Johnny Lam Jones asked TLSN to share his story about this happy moment in his life, and he wanted TLSN to share his biblical story of "I was lost, but now I am found."
He wanted to share a simple moment that was not motivated by money, self-promotion, or self-centered intentions. For Johnny, it is a moment of sports purity. It is what all team sports should be about. The team wins, not an individual.
Johnny's happiest moment was helping his foxhole teammates win the 4 x 400-meter relay. A relay that is still discussed in the history of high school track! For Johnny Lam Jones, the most critical moment in his life was the track victory of the high school team.
EPILOGUE
Johnny and I became friends, and his spirit has touched me from time to time. It did last night! I woke up thinking of Johnny, and this Facebook article is the result. I did my best to share Johnny's journey. He read the TLSN website comments and approved them until his death.
Here is the link to his story: The History of Longhorn Sports
Many attended Lam's funeral, and after pastor and Longhorn great football player Herkie Walls shared his passionate and compelling remembrance of Johnny Lam Jones, the attendees burnt orange blood boiled with Johnny's spirit, and all celebrated his life. Horns up!
