More than 1,400 people gathered in Laurel on Sunday and thousands more online to remember Jamin Pugh, best known as professional wrestler Jay Briscoe.
Long lines of people stood in a brisk January wind to enter the service for Pugh, who was known as a family man, coach and supporter of schools and youth programs in Laurel.
One of those waiting was Jeff Callum, Pugh’s uncle. He said seeing the number of people that showed for the service at Laurel High School was amazing, and not something his nephew would have expected.
“He didn’t realize how big he was. He was a local legend,” said Callum.
The Laurel native starred in the Ring of Honor tag team division and competed against some of the top wrestlers around the world. He died in a car crash Jan. 17. He was 38 years old.
Jennifer Teagle, a teacher at Laurel High School said she and her family came to pay their respects but also to show support for a family that is very supportive of their community. Pugh’s wife Ashley is the school secretary and his mother and sister also work for the district.
Pugh was an assistant coach on the Laurel Middle School football team, on which his son, Gannon, played, and also coached youth basketball in the town.
Teagle said that even though Pugh was an international star, he was a humble person who was generous with his time. She said she was not surprised by the turnout.
“When your someone who’s always willing to shake somebody’s hand and smile and be kind and you’re here to help kids develop people, see it and they respect that,” she said.
Jamin Pugh was committed to family, faith
Days after what would have been Jamin Pugh’s 39th birthday, the memorial service was attended by 1,450 people seated in the school gym, another 200 in the auditorium, and at one point, 3000 viewers online.
Pugh’s two daughers, Gracie, 12, and Jayleigh 9, were riding with him when the two-vehicle collision occurred on Laurel Road. The two girls were wheeled in by their mother and family for their father’s service.
The driver of the other vehicle, Lillyanne Ternahan, 27, of Frankford, also died in the crash.
Officiated by Rev. Tim Dukes, Sunday’s hour-long ceremony was full of tales that illustrated Pugh’s commitment to his Christian faith and the family’s unwavering belief in God.
Palin’s parents recounted their love story as young people and how their family started through faith despite doctors saying they would be unable to have children. Jamin was named after the second son of Simeon who was also a grandson of Jacob in the Bible.
Mark Pugh, Jamin’s younger brother and wrestling partner, also chronicled their faith in stories describing their youth.
Over and over, mourners described Jamin Pugh as someone they found to be genuine, welcoming, a friend, committed to his faith, his family and his community. They said he was a man they aspired to be.
Rev. Dukes said the people that attended the day’s service knew that Pugh was “someone who represented his community around the world, and also a committed friend, coach, husband, and father,” said Dukes. He said that he hopes that family finds the community’s outpouring “an expression of love.”
Reporter Anitra Johnson’s work focuses on individuals and organizations working to change, improve, and give back to communities. Contact her at ajohnson@delawareonline.com or 302-379-5786 with tips and story ideas. Follow her on her Facebook page.
