In case a casual observer wondered about the impact of Blake Lyons’ life as a coach and much more, the power of that legacy was shown in full on Friday morning at Gray Methodist Church.
The church’s worship center, filled with items representing his coaching career and the sports of softball, baseball and golf – as well as other things that he held near and dear – was filled with family and loved ones near and far. The crowd included current and former players, some of whom traveled from out of town in addition to those from homes in places like Ohio and Tennessee. All of them were in Gray to celebrate the life of Lyons, who passed away June 25 following a courageous fight with colon cancer.
Rev. Jason Wade, formerly an associate pastor and youth minister at Gray Methodist and Clinton Methodist, was among those extolling the imprint that Lyons had as a coach and more. Wade served as the softball team’s chaplain during Lyons’ time as head coach of the Lady Greyhounds.
“Blake was a fighter; he gave it everything that he had. He fought the fight and finished the race,” Wade said. “He left behind a legacy allowing us to have the honor and privilege to pass something on to future generations.”
Former Jones County Schools Superintendent Charles Gibson was also among those eulogizing Lyons. Gibson played a large role in drawing Lyons to Gray, hiring him in the spring of 2007 as the JCHS head fast-pitch girls softball coach. That tenure as a coach, athletic director and golf coach included high levels of success, including a state title in 2010.
But Lyons’ legacy was more than wins and losses, a fact that Gibson noted with significance.
“Can anyone let me know who the leading rusher was for Ohio State the last three years? Think on it. If you’re a softball fan, how many home runs did Oklahoma hit last year?” Gibson said. “Last question. Who is your favorite coach or teacher? The answer, we all have them. So, in a nutshell, what you do is not nearly as important as who you are.”
In room of coaches, players and friends, it was clear Friday that in one way or another that Lyons resonated with many.
“In addition to all this, what he did and who he was, he was a husband, dad, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, mentor, coach, teacher, co-worker and Christian,” Gibson said. “Everyone here has a special Blake Lyons story. It shows the tremendous impact he has had, and his family thanks you for that.”
Gibson recalled the process of hiring Lyons in 2007. The decision of who to hire, he recounted, was not a hard one.
“In 2007, we were looking for a head softball coach at Jones County High School. I called the coach at Rockdale County High School. Blake was choice one, two and three, so we called to check on Blake for a reference,” Gibson said. “I remember him telling us that ‘you’ll have to build a new dugout to get his head in it.’ He was half-right. We did need a new dugout, but it was so we could get his heart in.”
Lyons had a mantra as a coach to “leave things better than you found it.” That didn’t mean, however, forgetting those that had put work in before.
“Blake always paid respect to those before him. He shoveled warm coal to the head of his predecessors,” Gibson said. “Blake honored the accomplishments of others and built off of them.”
Even in the year 2020, a year after Lyons retired as Lady Hounds head coach, he was hardly disconnected. On a balmy afternoon in Columbus, when the Lady Greyhounds romped to a state title, it was Lyons in the midst of Greyhound coaches and supporters beyond the right field wall, reveling in the emotion of celebration less than a year after assistant coach Tripp Burt was elevated to replace him.
“That Cadillac was full of gas and clean. Coaches, hear me again. Leave it better than you found it,” Gibson said. “Coach Burt led us to a state title. We were out there with Blake in right field, and Blake was enjoying it just as much as if it was his own team.”
