Over 1,000 gathered in Oakland to celebrate the life of John Beam, a beloved football coach shot and killed last November at Laney College
Celebration of Life for Coach John Beam in Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — A final goodbye was held for legendary Bay Area football coach John Beam. More than a thousand people gathered on Saturday in Oakland to celebrate his life. Beam lost his life last November after being shot.
Heartfelt Tributes from Family and Friends
“When I was younger, he was my hero — strong, driven,” said Monica Beam. John Beam’s daughters spoke from the heart during the celebration. “My dad showed up everywhere for everyone all the time,” said Sonjha Phillips, Beam’s daughter.
Skyline football player Kevin Parker shared, “I am who I am today because of you, coach. I’ll carry that lesson with me in everything I do.” Parker described Beam as a larger-than-life character who mentored many.
Impact on Players and Community
Former Laney College player and current New Orleans Saints cornerback Rejzohn Wright was one of those mentored by Beam. “The day after my father died, Beam called and woke me and my brother up. Told us he wouldn’t let us fail,” Wright said.
More than 1,000 people lined up outside Oakland’s Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts to honor Beam. He was shot and killed last November on the Laney College campus, where he spent the last 20 years of his career. A 27-year-old suspect remains in custody.
Community Reflections on Beam’s Legacy
“We didn’t lose a coach. We lost our coach, bigger than life,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “For me, his legacy was he always showed up. It wasn’t complex. He didn’t spend lots of money. He just gave us his time, his influence, his character and suggestions on how life should look,” said Kevin Smith.
Beam’s friends from San Diego’s Kearney High School class of ’77 shared memories with humor. “John was trying to be a ladies’ man. He wore a leisure suit with white socks. ‘John, you can’t wear that,’” said Walt Rashad.
Beam’s family expressed gratitude for the support they received. “The amount of support we have received is overwhelming. My sister and nieces are grateful for that,” said Beam’s sister-in-law, Tish Gallegos.
Summary of the Event
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Type | Celebration of Life |
| Location | Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, Oakland |
| Attendance | More than 1,000 people |
| Coach’s Career | 20 years at Laney College |
| Incident Date | Last November |
| Suspect Status | 27-year-old suspect in custody |
