Lance Lyons delivered these words in honor of his father, Raphael “Stubby” Lyons, at Broadway Field last Saturday.

First off, my family and I would like to thank everyone for their time and efforts to make this happen today. Coach Auld, Coach Hamer and Skyler Archibald, thank you! We will always be grateful and appreciate you all.

I’ve always wondered especially as the years went on, how I’m going to get through today. In my life, today was the day I feared the most. But, there are a few things I would like to say and I wrote it down, because I don’t want to miss anything.

The last seven months without you Dad has been challenging to say the least. Processing your loss has been hard. I feel numb, like it’s not even real. I guess maybe, I just don’t want to accept it and I don’t know if I ever will. You were that one person that this world and me personally needed and wanted to live forever. This is certainly a case of the world being a lesser place without you in it, Dad.

But today we finally (hopefully) take a small step forward with that in honoring you and your amazing life, as you so well deserve. You always taught Lacy and I and others that its bigger then one person. You taught about brotherhood and sisterhood, about the team, about giving a damn about one another and about giving back. But, today it’s about you and it’s your day. Today you come back home to Broadway field. A place where it all began, a place where your legacy started. This place right here….this was your sanctuary.

We have a group of speakers who I’m sure will talk about your legacy as a coach, teacher, leader, mentor, and friend. We will forever be thankful for that and for them. We are truly thankful to have so many people who truly loved our Dad. It warms our hearts. Sometimes when I find myself deep in thought about you, which is often. I become emotional when I think about the respect so many people have for you. People just didn’t like you Dad, they loved you.

You positively impacted countless lives from all walks of life during your time and your legacy will live on for generations to come. You had a great ability to reach people and make people feel seen, important, loved and made them feel that they were apart of something. You gave people the greatest gift you can give someone, you believed in them. You gave them a chance when not many other teachers, coaches or even their own parents did. When they at times didn’t even believe in themselves or their own futures, you believed in them. You brought the best out of people. Something this community and world for that matter so desperately needs again.

As a father you were on another level. I feel like someone would of been hiding for the past 30 to 40 years not to know the love and relationships you had with Lacy and I. We had a private bond that a father and children could only dream or hope of having.

Dad, in many ways you were a perfect father. I know you loved us and we deeply loved and respected you. You were always proud of us and we were damn proud to have a father like you. You had a busy and demanding schedule, as so many others wanted and needed your time and attention. But, yet, you always made us your number one priority … always. You were deeply involved in our lives from the day we were born, all through our adult lives. You were always there for us right by our side and we were always there for you, right by your side. We always loved to walk by your side, but always learned the most when we walked behind you.

Even though you aren’t with us physically, I can close my eyes and I can feel your presence. Your hugs, your humor, hear your voice and words of reassurance that everything is going to be OK. They always had a higher power and meaning to them and I can hear one of your many lines, “now damnit listen to me.”

We know we will see you again. Our love for you is as strong in death as it is in life. While physically we have to let go, we never will emotionally. You were an amazing father. We love you deeply and will never forget what you did for us and taught us. You were all these things Dad and in many ways, still are and always will be.

Death leaves us a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Time is simply how you live your life and the difference you make In this world. It’s about the baton being passed to the next generation. That it takes a team and you can’t go at it alone. The future will never remember what was in your bank account or what car you drove. The future will remember that wild ride of life, where you believed in others and left a gift behind. That gift was your amazing life, Dad. Your fingerprints, impact and legacy in this world will live on forever. You left know doubt, that I know for sure. You were a blessing from God and my hero!

Thank you for being our father and the GOAT:

The Greatest Of All Time!

Rest in paradise, Dad!

We love you always and forever