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Godspeed Coach Tom Turner.
It is with much hurt, a heavy heart, and much sadness, i add this post. I received a call this morning.
That my former coach and my good friend of 25 + years has departed this world.
Remember the family in your thoughts and prayers.
I just heard, a piece of every bulldog's heart has just died with him. My condolences to Tom's family. He will be missed
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Prayers to the family and to all Dawg fans. His health must have been worse than most knew. He was a great coach and friend.
My thought and prayers go out to the family.
What can I say ? I didn't go to school at Appy, can't walk chew and gum and ain't smart enough to come in from the rain- Tom would tell me I didn't choose the easy way out, wasn't afraid of the weather and everybody had a home at Appy and he'd find me something to do. And he meant it.... And his wife and kids put their heart and soul into it also. His mother was gonna let me by her on the way out of a game last year. After taking the time to watch MY kid play, and telling me, " I'm sorry I'm slow, I'll move over, I might fall on you." The whole bunch was together. I could wait... I found something I could do, finally, if she stumbled, I might have caught her. When you get there Coach, don't let them throw the ball, hunt Ed Clark up . We are gonna miss you. If the rest find places that are better for them, I wish them all the luck. They'll carry me out if I go.
You left us way to soon friend. But you left a lot of lessons behind. And a lot that will never forget you. You rewote the words pride, heart, desire, respect, determination.
Your to small you don't have the numbers. And your gonna run the ball right at people.
How ridiculous is that.
But what many forgot, the driving force, behind that 3 yds and a cloud of dust.
A man who taught his kids to fight and fight to the end. And always if were still in it. We will win it in the second half.
Why because were smaller, but were stronger, and we want it more, we will have more heart when it counts. We will wear them down with our speed, and our quickness, and our small size.
And when it's over as long as you give it your all. You can look your team mate in the eyes with no regrets, then i will be pleased.
Play hard never quit, listen to that crowd out there. That is your family, your friends and this is your stadium. Take care of each other, and do what you know, and it will all come together.
Linemen take care of your backs, backs take care of your linemen. Were a team were suspose to have two things in common. To want to win and to look out for each other.
In the end all you have is your family. And were all family.
Well in the end i found out you was right Tom.
It was all about something you was teaching us and we didn't know it at the time.
Why do i care so much about this little, town and Appy High, because of a soft spoken man.
Who dared to say. Don't listen to what they say, set the standard where you want it. Work hard and earn your own respect.
Today with much mixed emotions. I continued to work, some times feeling those emotion come up, but remembering a man, who had that wink and smile that said, what did i tell you, hang around and keep the ball, they will quit if you make them.
The second half is ours. Well Tom you was right. You kept on going, into the second half, till the fourth quarter was over.
You won your fight and the victory is a place called heaven.
Maybe some day, if some of us are just lucky enough. We can meet again.
To my friend and his family. You will be truly missed. Thanks for all the lessons and thanks especially for the friendship.
A town today weeps over it's loss, of a coach, and many a Dawg, weeps over the loss of a man, who was more than a coach.
But a friend and mentor and to some the only father they knew.
Thanks Debbie, and all the Turner family, for letting us all become a part of your lives, and sharing your husband and father with us.
I hope you all know and realize, what it meant to be a part of what, was Tom saying "some thing special".
This is one old friend and ole Dawg, that sure remembers it. And man was it "some thing special".
Im glad i just got to be a part of some of it.
Thanks to all the Turner Family.
I know only God can comfort your hearts right now. And i pray he is. Knowing that a husband and a father, touched so many peoples lives in a such a positive manner.
Got the news via cell phone on the way home from work. It was really difficult just finishing the drive home. The best [censored] football coach that I have ever known is gone. Yes, I am Indian, but words aren't enough to convey the amount of respect that I had for Tom, as well as his kids. The man did more with less than common sense, as well as logic could ever dictate. The folks from Appalachia aren't the only ones who mourn today. The entire state is saddened by the too soon passing of a legend.
I'm absolutely floored. I'm honestly sitting here with chill bumps after reading this. Appalachia lost a good man. As a matter of fact, the world did. The last time I saw him, he and Coach Colobro received their jackets on the 50 yard line at Riggs Stadium for being inducted into the VHSL Hall of Fame. I guess I never realized how special that moment was. God speed coach. Our hearts are with you folks in Appy.
Things I will forever remember about Tom:
That wiley "fox is sneaking around the chicken coop" grin that he gave you, and made you wonder what the heck he was up to.
That big chaw that he had that stretched his jaw
The fact that EVERY time I saw him, he extended a warm, strong hand out to shake, and a heartfelt "good to see you".
His country way with words-he was mountain-folk and [censored] proud of it.
It will be emotional for us all when we play the Dawgs, and no longer see him there, but I know that his spirit will live on in every kid that puts that blue and gold on, and we'll continue to see a piece of him on Friday nights.
This is a very sad day, for all who knew him and what he meant to Appalachia. God Bless his immediate family, wife, son and daughters, and all of the young men he molded and taught how to be winners.