"On a nondescript September morning last fall, John Beam sat in his Laney College office, one decorated with trophies, photos and other reminders of his nearly innumerable football successes as a high school coach at Skyline and at the collegiate level down the road at the Oakland junior college, and admitted that the rumors were true. He was ready to retire."
"But in the same building where Beam was tragically gunned down Thursday, he did not spend the next hour reminiscing about past glories or fretting over how a then-65-year-old would find purpose after four decades leading young men from the sidelines. It's time to leave, Beam, who died Friday, told me in the same, forceful, intense tone that was his trademark. He then added, But I can give back in a different way. It was quintessential John Beam."
"The man who dedicated his life to uplifting thousands of young men in the East Bay's biggest city saw retirement as a way to continue to improve the town he loved. If he had wanted to take it easy, spend his golden years with his wife, daughters and grandchildren while snorkeling and surfing to his heart's content, nobody would have blamed him."
John Beam was a longtime and highly successful football coach at Skyline High School and at Laney College, credited with numerous triumphs and a deep impact on East Bay youth. At 65, he decided to retire but intended to use retirement to continue serving the community through new ventures. Planned activities included mentoring young entrepreneurs, creating an educational program on Name, Image and Likeness endorsements for parents and athletes, and introducing young women to flag football. He envisioned continued engagement with family and community while applying his coaching expertise in broader ways. He was tragically gunned down in the building where he worked.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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