Farewell to Tyshon Dye: Former Tiger JK Jay writes heartfelt tribute

Tyshon Dye's memorial service was held Saturday afternoon

by TigerNet Staff - Sat Jul 13 19:18:35 GMT-04:00 2019

Former Clemson running back Tyhson Dye passed away a week ago and his memorial service was held in his hometown of Elberton, Ga., Saturday afternoon. Head coach Dabo Swinney and running backs coach Tony Elliott each spoke in the service, which was held with a standing room only crowd in attendance.

Former Clemson offensive lineman JK Jay wrote a heartfelt tribute to Dye after the service, and what he wrote is a poignant reminder of not only what we've lost, but what heaven has gained. JK graciously allowed us to post his words:

May you be gracious enough to take the time to read this.

I just attended Tyshon's Homegoing Service. The Lord blessed me with one of those rare opportunities experience a glimpse into heaven. Tyshon's funeral was at 2 p.m. today at the FBC of Elberton. I got there an hour early as I felt it would be standing room only. I saw they had the streets blocked off with multiple police cars and fire trucks with their lights on. The parking lots and overflow parking was already full. The people were pouring into the church. The church was standing room only.

I am not the best at physical attendance numbers but I would say somewhere around a thousand people or more were there. So here we are, people of different races, places, and socio-economic backgrounds, all here to celebrate the life of this young man. We all came together because of the amazing life that Tyshon lived. He was enabled to live life being remembered for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control because Christ lived in Him.

He made the most of each day and interaction making sure he left an impression of love, Christ's love on those he came in contact with. His life is one of the greatest living testimonies of the power of a faithful life to Christ. Do not be deceived - he had tremendous adversity throughout his life and career but he always walked through it with hope, peace, joy, and love. Every interaction is life changing, even the littlest of interactions you may take for granted.

In this service, the Gospel was clearly proclaimed multiple times by multiple speakers, Accept Christ as Your Lord and Savior and He will forgive you all of your sins and give you eternal life, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-controlled. We worshipped with such excitement, gratefulness, and hope for what Christ has given to Tyshon through his salvation and those in the room that were believers. In that room, there was no race, no division, no hate, no politics, there was only love. There was the love for Tyshon for the love he had poured out, and the Love for our Savior Jesus Christ who has overcome the grave and given us eternal life with Him.

I wish our country could be what that Church in rural Elberton Ga was today. We would have love and unity we have never dreamed of. I have seen the power of one young man’s short life being able to accomplish something so beautiful. The Bishop said Tyshon scored his greatest TD. He is now in Heaven with Christ. For the believer that is indeed all our greatest moment of victory. I thank you Tyshon, you will make me a better Father, Husband, and Christian. I long to celebrate with you in Glory one day brother.