A Sea Of Red

Those of you that have been to see Jerry/ will be going to see him. Post your thoughts on the atmosphere, and what you thought when you were there.

I will be there Sunday.

For those that want to go, give yourself plenty of time. Campus is packed and parking is limited.

Somebody needs to get a shot of the Spirit Rock right now. Someone has painted a black suit and red tie on it. It's perfect.
I wish I'd had my camera when I was down there.

I'm going over there tonight, but I'll feel a little funny carrying around a camera to a viewing. I guess I could use my old little camera if I can find it.

The spirit rock has looked awesome since Tuesday.

I went right after my last final.....completely surreal....I have never been huge on viewings, but I thought that since I won't be able to get to the funeral the least I could do is put my squeamishness aside and pay tribute to a great man

It is unbelievable really....I guess seeing him confirmed in my head that he is gone, yet part of me still doesn't believe it....I am glad I went, though emotional, it was well worth it

I wonder if Jerry is laughing about how big of a deal we are all making this....I hope he is smiling down on us and thanking Jesus for the opportunity He gave him to influence so many people.....

LUconn wrote:I'm going over there tonight, but I'll feel a little funny carrying around a camera to a viewing. I guess I could use my old little camera if I can find it.

Just tell 'em you're from Tennessee.



What? Too much of an inside joke? Really? See, in some cultures, taking pictures of the deceased at a viewing is not considered ghoulish but is, in fact, a time-honored tradition.

thepostman wrote:I wonder if Jerry is laughing about how big of a deal we are all making this....I hope he is smiling down on us and thanking Jesus for the opportunity He gave him to influence so many people.....

Me and Scorcho were talking about this last night. He's got his feet propped up in a suit smiling.

I've been twice. I went with my wife at 9:30 this morning, and then went again by myself after my 11:00 final exam was over. For the really old hags, I saw Sumner Wemp and his wife slowly walking up the steps to pay their respects (for the younger crowd, Sumner was our spiritual VP/campus pastor in the 1980s--before Caner, Jackson, and Lovett).

I was glad to see Jerry still wearing his "Jesus First" pin and to see him holding a Faith Partner Bible. My only concern was that Jerry was still wearing his Founder's ring. I hope Jerry, Jr. or Jonathan inherit that ring.

Dr. Towns said he didn't know if they were going to give Jerry Jr. the ring or if they were going to bury him with it.

Thanks everyone for sharing the details with those of us that can't be there in body but are truly there in spirit. We greatly appreciate it!

i went at around 2:30. there was no line, i was able to go right in. i guess it kind of confirmed it, but i don't know. it was just weird.
there were LUPD at attention in there, and the casket was in the middle of the room. (that was for those who can't see it).
i'm working on getting up a picture of the spirit rock. i have to get it from the phone to the computer

WSET had a nice segment on the news tonight about the viewing. I guess Jerry's immediate family went in first--Macel, Jerry, Jr., Jonathan, & Jeanie--and then they did a short televised interview afterwards. Jerry, Jr. said that his father knew he was in poor health and knew he probably needed surgery, but was going to put it off until after the graduation ceremony.

Cameras aren't allowed in the grand lobby, but the atmosphere in there is extremely quiet and sad. The body is in there, but Jerry is not

They say that they're going to have a gathering for any LU alumni after the funeral on Tuesday at Williams stadium. (around 3:30)

I drove past at about 11:30 getting the last of my fiance's junk out of her room and there are gaurds that will be standing at the door all night. What a sad world we live in where we have to gaurd the deceased from people messing with them.

There have been guards with the body since he passed away.

I would consider the guards are more along the lines of a military tradition, a show of respect and reverence

After the Service on Tuesday Williams Stadium is a gathering place for everybody and there will be light refreshments being served there...

It's already been posted but what the hay,






who's gonna paint over this?

TDDance234 wrote:I drove past at about 11:30 getting the last of my fiance's junk out of her room and there are gaurds that will be standing at the door all night. What a sad world we live in where we have to gaurd the deceased from people messing with them.

Honor guard.

quite customary for dignitaries, heads of state, etc.

very fitting in this case, I think.

My daughter and I went through the line yesterday around 1:30 after packing the car to bring her back home for the summer. Jerry was such an energetic person, so seeing his body laying in the casket seemed unreal. Very emotional time.

By the way, Cider Jim, I saw Sumner outside of DeMoss and spoke with him briefly. Still energetic with his pockets full of tracts to hand out to anyone. It was the first time I had seen him since leaving LBC in 81 and brought back many memories. He seemed pretty shaken and kept mentioning that he and Jerry were supposed to be having lunch at the very time we were speaking.

I didn't go see Jerry but I was on campus this morning getting stuff ready for school next week.

It seems kind of fitting that it's cloudy and gray today. That's what the mood was.

Just a few things to point out:

The flags of all of the Big South schools around the track/soccer field have been lowered to half mast.

In the courtyard, the American and Virginia flag are all of the way up but the Christian flag has been lowered.

The fountain, which normally has 3-4 things shooting out of it, has one constant stream of water coming up. I don't know if that's on purpose, but it seems fitting.

From Campbell Ave to campus there are three signs directing traffic. I knew a lot of people would be coming in, but it didn't hit me until I saw that.


I hadn't teared up at all the entire time til I started looking through some of the pictures in the Champion. I'm scanning them now so you out of town guys can see them.

SJ, if you have a copy of the previous weeks champion there is a great interview with him and a Fact/Myth section. It's pretty good.