North Texas FCA Multi-Area Director Rick Bowles pays tribute to Hall of Champions inductee and FCA advocate Jim Myers.

FCA Hall of Champions 2003 inductee Coach Jim Myers passed away on July 17th at the age of 92. He worked with Tom Landry as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys and continued throughout the years to work with him on growing the ministry of FCA in Dallas-Fort Worth. Thirty seven years ago, he helped Landry and other volunteers start the Tom Landry Open Golf Tournament, which continues to be our largest fundraiser.

Coach Myers loved FCA. He once told me that as a parking lot attendant at his church, he would (half jokingly) tell members that unless they purchased a raffle ticket for the Tom Landry Open, they couldn’t park. Many tickets were sold! He served faithfully as a volunteer committee member until three years ago, when his health began to fail.

I have plenty of fond memories of Coach. He invited our staff to his house on his birthday and would sing or share a poem he had written. Seeing the memorabilia on his walls and shelves of his passion for football was so exciting for those of us who also shared his passion for sport.

Most importantly, Coach loved Jesus and in his “coach” way, he left a mark on those who would listen. About a month ago I was privileged to go to his home and spend a few minutes with him. As I started to leave, I thanked him for all he had done for FCA. At that moment, although he had been unable to talk during our visit, he lifted his head and spoke the last words I would ever hear him speak this side of heaven.

“Glad to do it.”

Yes, Coach. And I was glad to know you and privileged to serve alongside you. We all were.