Posted by slambob2 on August 3, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rest in peace, John Mark. In a place with no limitations and perfect love.

Posted by vol4gzus on August 3, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember a special on his son and the bond players had with him and his endless enthusiasm. This is one place that ones disdain for all things bama is not welcome. This could be your son or a friends. Let us show proper respect as such. The Stallings family will be in my prayers in this loss.

Posted by rail on August 3, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Went to a few coaching clinics while Coach Stallings was the HC. What a class act that man was! He had a wonderful bond with his son, he was always at his side. I am heart broken for Coach Stallings and his family.

Posted by andefromtn on August 3, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Mark will now be watched over by God and will sit and talk football with Bear Bryant until his parents arrive. My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach and his family, plus the greater Bama family at large.

Posted by FWBVol on August 3, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The public service commercials coach Stallings and John Mark made several years ago for the NFL were some of the best ever.

The loss of a loved one, especially a special child is bigger than football.

My prayers go out to the Stallings family.

Posted by jawbreaker on August 3, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Mark now has the correct number of #21 chromosomes. Coach Stallings was a great father to his son, and I'm sure Mrs. Stallings was the most loving of mothers. I and my family extend our thoughts and prayers to the Stallings.

Posted by txvolsfan on August 3, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A true class act. He spoke so patiently about his son and the affect he had on his life. God Bless you coach Stallings and your Son. He is in heaven now.
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by HotlantaVol on August 3, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was living down in Paris, TX when Stallings retired from coaching to be with his family and help take care of John Mark at their ranch in Paris. I have never met a man with more class. Not to mention the fact that he was the second greatest coaching mind to blow a Bama whistle.

John Mark lived a fuller life because of his family and the Alabama people than most people who live to see 80.

Posted by huntined on August 3, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Mark was given a SPECIAL FAMILY
Our Prayers are with them..

Posted by RJ_Vol on August 3, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a parent of a little girl w/ Down Syndrome, I can truly say we are the lucky ones - to be in their presence. I remember a special about Gene Stallings and John Mark. Gene Stallings commented that John Mark was his best friend. That says a lot. I have often pondered if I would ever change the extra chromosome...and at this point, I would not. Our girl is perfect the way she is. Other parents (who have a child who suffers chronic medical disorders due to Down Syndrome) might argue w/ that in good faith. However, the Lord has made us a better family through our daughter and I feel Gene would echo those remarks. May the Lord be w/ the Stallings family during this time of loss. However, John Mark will bring his spririt to heaven and the Lord will surely be blessed and honored at his presence.

Posted by VolnDothan on August 3, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I met Stalings a little over a year ago in a small restaurant near Lake Eufaula. He was there with Pat Dye and the "Yellawood" guy Jimmy Raines.

Stallings drifted over to our table (of his own accord) in an empty restaurant and sat down and talked to me and a friend of mine (an Auburn fan) for ten minutes. Didn't know us from Adam.

U of A pushed out one heckuva a man when he left town. What a true gentleman. Nothing but my best to Coach Stallings and his family...

Posted by vol4good on August 3, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RIP John Mark--The Angels are singing this day.

Posted by Titan on August 3, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All Tennessee fans can forget the recent animosity between our schools and express our sympathy to the Stallings and extended Bama families.

Posted by ncvol on August 3, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Stallings.
Sad indeed for this family.

Posted by pdhuff on August 3, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A long days journey into night is over.

Condolences, Stallings.

Posted by T0MMYJACK on August 3, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The death of Johnny is the sort of occurrence that reminds us, or at least should remind us, of how the importance of football is often overblown and how truly important our families are.

From several parents of Down's Syndrome children I have heard comments similar to the ones posted previously by RJ_Vol. And when I see a person so affected, I usually notice a smile on his or her face.

Upon hearing of Johnny's death, former Tide head coach and defensive assistant under Stallings had this to say about the man: "There was never a bad day. You might have played badly or coached badly but Johnny still loved you. Whether you won the national championship or lost to Auburn, Johnny loved you the same. He was a great human being. It's a great loss for everybody, but a great gain for him."

Please say a prayer for the Stallings family, and throw in a "Thank you" for God letting Johnny act as a reminder of what is good and important in our lives.

Posted by Col26Ca on August 3, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lived in St. Louis when they were with the Cards. Truly class acts. Also have a UT seat cushion that Gene signed at the UT vs Texas AM Cotton Bowl. Great Family. May John Mark Rest In Peace.

Posted by DekanGator on August 4, 2008 at 1:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I will always remember the Proud Dad walking with his son to mid field to shake the other coaches hand after the game was over.
My thoughts and Prayers go to the Stallings Family.
John Mark was loved by all!

Posted by Goodvol on August 4, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You could see the incredible bond between Gene and his son. I know they both loved each other so much. My prayers go out to the Stallings family. Rest in peace, John Mark.

Posted by hiresanders on August 4, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Stallings remains one of the SEC's all time greatest. His integrity and high moral character are an model we all can follow. Strength and peace from the Lord to all of them. God bless the Stallings family.

Posted by chad_t31 on August 4, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember being down in destin many years ago attending church service at the church of christ there. Even at a young age I recognized coach stallings. Being a huge vol fan, I didn't know whether to speak to him or not. Turns out, I still have his autograph on a church bulletin. The man is as good as they come. Also, I, too, have a sister with down syndrome who just turned 41 and know firsthand how special these people really are. Coach Stallings and family, John Mark will be sorely missed but you have a great comfort knowing where he will spend eternity. Coach, bama family, our prayers are with you all.

Posted by givim6 on August 4, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Stalling had his priorities right. His relationship with his son demonstrated his character.

As a salute to Coach Stalling and John Mark, I will say this for the only time in my life: Roll Tide! RIP Johnny!

Posted by tngeoff on August 4, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree with all. Especially the special about Coach on tv and his son and the tv commercials. What un unbelievably incredibly uplifting story about real people who did what few would do in our self absorbed world. May God Bless their family and make many more like them.

Posted by RockyTopVolFan on August 4, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Echoing the above sentiments, I offer my sincerest condolences to the Stallings family and Alabama.

Posted by thesavageorange on August 4, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gene Stallings and his wife never tried to hide their son from the world.They were very proud of John Mark and their love for him was evident.I can only echo the sentiments about Gene as a man and a coach.His wife Ruth Ann is also a wonderfull person.Here's to the Stallings and the Bama family.Here is just a tidbit about Stallings and his son.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raM6MI...

Posted by cison25 on August 4, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gene Stallings epitomized the Southern football coach. What a great asset to the SEC he is, and what a great example to all fathers. Our prayers are with the Stallings family.

Posted by Indianavol on August 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I lived in Birmingham from 1995 to 1998; Gene Stallings was a class act and his son was often in the background at games or in the news.

My condolences to the Stallings family.

Posted by rdwilliams22 on August 4, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a vol fan, I can appreciate a great football coach and this is truly what Coach Stallings is. He knew X's and O's like not other during his coaching days, but he knew the X's and O's pretaining to his family even better. I read a lot of comments from fans expressing their dislike for the other team. A lot of it is comical, but during times like this we bond together and show our proper respect and let the game just be a game. SEC for life, give him 6 and roll tide roll! We will miss you John Mark.

Posted by chad_t31 on August 4, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

very well said, rdwilliams. I like to know that we can come in here and talk trash to each other but when real life slaps you in the face, we, the sec, has each other's backs.

Posted by TideinATL on August 5, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As an Alabama fan and having met the Stallings family many times, we as Alabama fans are so glad to see that we can put petty things like a football rivalry aside for what is truly important in life. Thank you Volunteer fans.

Posted by adamsck on August 5, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gene is a class guy and apparently a great father to John Mark. Trailing winds and fair seas, John Mark.

Posted by mikephd on August 5, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As an ardent Alabama fan for 50 years, I want to thank the Vols fans who have been so gracious in their expressions of sympathy and appreciation for the Stallings family. In reciprocation of the spirit of your comments, may I say, at least this one time, "Go Vols!"
"drmike" of Tidesports Forum

Posted by BamaFan_9 on August 6, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As other Bama fans here have posted I'd like to thank all you Vol fans as well for the classy posts (thought I'd never say that). Gene Stallings and John Mark Stallings will NEVER be forgotten as the trainers building is named after John Mark and Stallings has his statue out on the Walk of Champions outside the stadium. I was brought to tears watching a re-run of a Sportscenter special on Coach Stallings and his son when he was still coaching at Bama. I know our rivalry has turned sour over the past few years, but there is two games I look forward to each year is Tennessee and auBarn. I for one have no hard feelings to Fulmer, we were caught cheating and got what we deserved. But I have ALWAYS respected UT fans and the team all the way back to Coach Majors time (I'm only 28). I remember walking out of the 93 game where we tied at Legion Field and me and some UT fans didnt know how to act because we tied. Was one of the best games ever. So big ups to you Vol fans for being super classy! Just shows you how much we love football in the South and how much we respect each other in the SEC whether we'll admit it or not. Congrats! R.I.P. to John Mark Stallings, without a doubt Bama's BIGGEST AND BEST fan. We lost a good one today boys.

Posted by leedsvol2007 on August 6, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My late father-in-law a Knoxville native attended Alabama on a baseball scholarship during a period of time when Tennessee did not scholarship baseball players. As such he became an ardent Alabama fan.

In 1995 I took him to the Bryant Museum the day we finally beat Bama after a 9 year drought. We were greeted by John Mark and he took my father-in-law around the museum. I was struck by not only how friendly he was to my father-in-law but to me in my Tennessee orange.

My son a year later had a teacher who was an ardent Auburn that had a Down's child born to him. Shortly after the birth Stallings called him and spoke to him explaining the resources that were available to Down's children and counseling him on his feelings.

A few years later we waited at a local mall to get Gene Stallings to autograph a cap for my father-in-law and had the opportunity to talk to Gene &Ruth Stallings for a few minutes as the session ended.

They are very classy people and our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Posted by Moaninglikeheck on August 6, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a Vol fan and SEC fan from childhood, I recognize that Gene Stallings and Johnny Majors are the last of a dying breed of coaches in college football. While other coaches were donning golf shirts or sweats to roam the sidelines, these gentlemen proudly wore a suit and tie and represented the coaching profession with class. I know it is a small thing, but it says a lot.

God Bless the Stallings family.