John Mark Stallings has passed away

[da_sack86]

We can all say say that we are big Bama Fans but John Mark was the biggest. His love, heart and smile will live forever with all of us.

My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the Stallings family.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Great Sorrow For Crimson Tide Family

John Mark Stallings died early Saturday morning. John Mark, who was born with Down syndrome and suffered from health problems related to a congenital heart defect, was 46.

I last saw Johnny a few months ago when I Coach Stallings had his golf tournament at Ol' Colony in Tuscaloosa. That tournament is among many ways that the Stallings family has helped make the Stallings Center and RISE one of the nation's finest facilities for those afflicted with Down syndrome.

 

[tmv85]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Stallings family. As much as I know they are saddened and are grieving their loss, I feel that they can also rejoice in knowing that their beautiful son is now in the presence of God. They are a family of tremendous faith.

I'm quite sure that somewhere on Johnny's wings, there is a script A.

Roll Tide, Johnny! The Bama family will always miss you.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Stallings' beloved son John Mark dies at 46

John Mark Stallings, the son of former University of Alabama head coach Gene Stallings and one of the most beloved members of the Crimson Tide football family, died Saturday in Paris, Texas, at age 46.

The last of five children and the only son born to Gene and Ruth Ann Stallings, John Mark often joined his father on the practice field at coaching stops from Texas A&M to the Dallas Cowboys to the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and back to Tuscaloosa, when Gene Stallings replaced Bill Curry after the 1989 season.

"There weren't any lives he (John Mark) touched that weren't made better by his influence," said Linda Knowles, Stallings' secretary at Alabama. "He loved life, and he loved Alabama football."

 

[NativeTider]

Johh Mark Stallings had one of the biggest hearts of any human being I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. His kindness and warmth was infectious and he touched everyone he came in contact with. He was truly a blessing to the Stallings family and all who knew him.

Johnny fought hard to make it to 46 years old which is a testament to his toughness and desire to persevere. He will be sorely missed here on earth but will be enjoying himself in heaven, free of pain and discomfort.

 

[im4datide]

I met Johnny at the Bryant Museum one day while visiting...he was a remarkable person and I feel my life was enriched by meeting him. My deepest sympathies to the Stallings family...thank you for sharing Johnny with us, we are much better for it! Below is a link if you would like to leave condolences to the Stallings Family.

Condolences to the Stallings

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Here are links to the funeral home and an online tribute to JMS.

Funeral Home

John Mark Stallings, Book of Memories

 

[BamaBackerBill]

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the entire Stallings family. May the Good Lord give them the peace and comfort that only He can bring. I didn't know John Mark personally, but from everything that I have always read and heard, he was a great Bama fan and an even better human being. God Bless them and through this may it remind us all that even though we love Bama, we should always put the Lord Jesus Christ first in our lives. Because one day, like John Mark, we will all face our Maker. rtr

 

[AlabamaSooner]

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the entire Stallings family. May the Good Lord give them the peace and comfort that only He can bring. I didn't know John Mark personally, but from everything that I have always read and heard, he was a great Bama fan and an even better human being. God Bless them and through this may it remind us all that even though we love Bama, we should always put the Lord Jesus Christ first in our lives. Because one day, like John Mark, we will all face our Maker. rtr

Well said all the way around.

 

[AlabamaSooner]

Re: John Mark Stallings passes

Stallings family in my prayers-- Hopefully we will remember him during one of the games this year.

Having a tribute for John Mark would be VERY appropriate. Hopefully Coach Moore will put this into action or someone with connections will suggest it.

 

[Alabama Larry in Ky]

My wife and I where at the museum one day and someone walked up to us. John Mark and another caretaker. I knew who he was and I told him how much we loved his dad and himself. He smiled real big and he wanted to show us some articles, the caretaker didn't let him stay long but it was fun meeting John Mark.

Prayers to Coach and his family and our hearts go out to them.

 

[CHATTBRIT]

What a wonderful man John Mark was. A person is not truly measured by how much money they have or what personal possessions they own. A person is measured by his or her positive affect on others and John Mark was a man of great wealth in this regard. God and Coach Bryant should be talking with him right about now!

Thank you for being you, John Mark.

 

[BamaChief]

I missed the news yesterday and my heart sank when I saw the news today. It was lifted when I thought about John Mark being with our Lord. Condolences to the Stallings Family and our Bama family for this is truly a loss of a great Bama fan. Rest In Peace John Mark.....

 

[rhYno]

Growing up during the 1990s, I can remember being ecstatic when I got to see Alabama and Gene Stallings on TV every Saturday during the season. Never having a father figure in my life, and my mother is more Auburn than Alabama, even though she really doesn't care much about football, I always looked up to Coach Stallings as if HE alone was the family I never had. Alabama football, then, was so special to me, and I don't know why considering I wasn't really raised on it. It was like instinct almost. It was like a breath of fresh air every time I got to see them play. I've never met Coach Stallings, Ruth Ann, or John, nor have I seen them in person, but to this day, that entire family is MY Bryant family. I have the utmost respect for Coach Bryant, but Gene Stallings has always meant more to me than any other coach in the history of Alabama. I love Alabama football today, but nothing will ever be as special as growing up during the Stallings era. While others reminisce on the glory days of Bear Bryant, I always like to think back to Iron Bowl of 96, or the OSU game in 94, and of course the Miami game of 92.

This news is even more heartbreaking than that unforgettable night at at my grandpa's church when one of the ushers (who always discussed Alabama football with me), told me Gene Stallings was retiring...

When I was growing up, only one lady would always look after me, and she had a son around the age of John, who also had down syndrome. He was one of my best friends, and to this day, he always will be. I never knew what down syndrome was, but my mother always referred to him as just being "special". When I had my first glimpse at John Mark, I knew he was "special" just like Vince. Just because of that, I noticed how joyful and happy John and Vince always seemed to be, unlike the most of us. Watching John celebrate ecstatically in the stands after Alabama would score a touchdown, always impacted my heart in a way that had never been done so before. I always kept tabs on Coach Stallings and Mr. John, and I never knew he was having heart trouble.

It's sad to see him go, especially considering how much this family means to me. It's almost as if I lost a member of my family, even though I have never met the two, or personally seen them other than what I've seen of them on TV or on the Internet. I even remember the funniest thing which happened about a year ago, Coach Stallings asked John who his favorite Alabama coach was, and instead of saying "you father" he said "Nick Saban". lol

I wish there's something I can do for the Stallings family, but all I can do is pray and also hope that one day I can finally meet John in heaven.

RIP John and Roll Tide forever!

 

[BAMAINMD]

There are many ways that I love Bama and Bama football. It makes me proud when I go to the football site and find that even on Fan Day the most posts are about John Mark

 

[bamanut_aj]

someone posted the mailing address to the Board of Regents at texas a&m recently. I still have that if anyone thinks it would be appropriate to send a card to Coach Stallings.

 

[Bama-n-ms]

someone posted the mailing address to the Board of Regents at texas a&m recently. I still have that if anyone thinks it would be appropriate to send a card to Coach Stallings.

I knew of John Mark but I never knew too much about him until I read Coach Stallings book. It left quite an impression on me. So, that being said, I would like to send the Stallings family a card if I could get the address.

 

[banjeaux]

Coach stallings mailing address

I knew of John Mark but I never knew too much about him until I read Coach Stallings book. It left quite an impression on me. So, that being said, I would like to send the Stallings family a card if I could get the address.

I am sure Coach & Mrs. Stallings would love to hear from Crimson Tide fans. From public records:
Eugene C Stallings

home 6508 County Road 43200 Powderly, TX 75473-5320

phone number unavailable

http://www.whitepages.com/search/Fi...ity_zip=powderly&state_id=TX&localtime=survey

:BigA:

 

[bat123]

The Bama nation has lost one it's most loyal, and we'll never forget..........
Coach Stallings and family may God help you while you are in this time of immeasurable grief.
To John Mark a huge Bama Nation Roll Tide!!!! We miss you already.

 

[BAMADUTCH]

I am a proud father of a little boy with Down Syndrome and my heart breaks for Coach Stallings and his family. When my son was born, I thought the world had ended...but thanks to many family and friends who provided support to me and my wife we got through those first hard days. A friend of mine gave me Coach Stallings book about he and John Mark and the struggles they all went through when he was born. That book, "Another Season: A Father's Story" is what got me through what I thought was the hardest time of my life. It help realize and understand that God had given me the greatest gift in the world. I have a wonderful, happy, loving, and (thank God) healthy 3 year old little boy. John Mark and Coach Stallings are my inspirations to spending every minute of the rest of life with my son. He can't can't talk yet, but show him a picture of Big Al and he'll give the biggest smile you'll ever see and loves shaking his shakers to the fight song every time it's played. God bless the Stallings family and remember that he puts "angels" among us every day.

Roll Tide Roll......