On Nov. 2, Gene Stallings, former football coach at the University of Alabama, told the story of his son, John Mark Stallings, during Friend Day at First Baptist Church, Decatur, in Morgan Baptist Association. John Mark, who had Down syndrome, passed away three months ago at age 46.
“You can fake happiness with two cars, beachfront property and a big home,” Stallings said to a crowd of about 2,000 people gathered in the gym of Calhoun Community College in Tanner, according to The Associated Press. “But you won’t be happy if you don’t have a good relationship with your children.”
Stallings noted that John Mark was his best friend and had an impact on thousands of people over the years because he always put other people first. Pastor Bill Hurt said six people made professions of faith that day and about 30 families in attendance indicated they did not attend church.
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