OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — It was a final goodbye to legendary Bay Area football coach John Beam.
More than a thousand people gathered Saturday in Oakland for a celebration of life for Beam, who lost his life last November after being shot.
“When I was younger, he was my hero — strong, driven,” said Monica Beam.
John Beam’s daughters spoke from the heart at their dad’s celebration of life.
“My dad showed up everywhere for everyone all the time,” said Sonjha Phillips, Beam’s daughter.
REMEMBERING JOHN BEAM: Celebration of life held for legendary Oakland coach
“I am who I am today because of you, coach. I’ll carry that lesson with me in everything I do,” said Skyline football Kevin Parker.
Parker described Beam as a larger-than-life character who touched and mentored countless lives.
Former Laney College player and now New Orleans Saints cornerback Rejzohn Wright was one of those lives.
“The day after my father died, Beam called and woke me and my brother up. Told us he wouldn’t let us fail,” Wright said.
More than 1,000 people lined up outside Oakland’s Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts to honor Beam, who was shot and killed last November on campus at Laney College, where he spent the last 20 years of his career. A 27-year-old suspect remains in custody.
“We didn’t lose a coach. We lost our coach, bigger than life,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.
“For me, his legacy was he always showed up. It wasn’t complex. He didn’t spend lots of money. He just gave us his time, his influence, his character and suggestions on how life should look,” said Kevin Smith.
Beam’s buddies from San Diego’s Kearney High School class of ’77 showed up with a little trash talk.
“John was trying to be a ladies’ man. He wore a leisure suit with white socks. ‘John, you can’t wear that,'” said Walt Rashad.
Beam’s family was grateful and thankful for messages of love.
“The amount of support we have received is overwhelming. My sister and nieces are grateful for that,” said Beam’s sister-in-law, Tish Gallegos.
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