The late JaDarius Garner had dreams of combining his passions for football, math and the word of God as a coach and teacher in his former high school, if he didn’t make it to the National Football League first.
His passing came to friends and family members as a “shock” and a “tragedy” during the week of Jan. 2, 2013.
In the wake of his death, his older brother, Fabian Di’Angelo Garner Jr. of Clarksville, Miss., called his brother a man of “passion” above all else.
Fabian said those passions started with the Bible and football.
“He could handle any football play or Bible verse you could throw at him,” Fabian said “He felt that through God he was invincible.”
During his time at Troy, Garner played for the Trojans and not without purpose.
“He felt like it was a great opportunity to make Troy (football) known and earn everything he owned, and I feel that is exactly what he did,” Fabian said.
While playing two seasons for Troy, Gardener was called Sun Belt Conference defensive player of the week during the week of Sept. 9, according to USA Today.
Garner majored in math while at Troy in hopes of retuning to his hometown to become a math teacher.
“He was the only junior in my high school trigonometry class when I was a senior.”
According to Fabian, their grandparents raised both him and JaDarius. Their grandfather was a pastor in Mississippi as Fabian is today.
Among other memorable things, Fabian mentioned Garner’s love for clothing.
“He was crazy about his clothes,” Fabian said. “When he would get ready to wash them he would fold them, count them and then wash them. Then he would fold them and count them again,” he said with a chuckle.
He said that he would always see his brother’s face when he encountered a Ralph Lauren Polo because that was his “thing.”
Fabian sends his thanks to the Coaching staff, the Trojan football, the professors, and student body along with his regards.
“He (Garner) was a wonderful person,” Fabian said.
“I am here to tell you not to mourn his death but celebrate his life and be happy because he is with God. He as a person always wanted people happy so I know he would love to see you all smiling in this trying time.”
Fabian tells readers to remember his brother’s favorite scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
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