Jerry Elmore Layne
(1943-2003)
It was a day on which he stood alone in public to demand justice for one of God's most humble creatures - a poor, murdered innocent that some had called "Queso". My wife and I met Jerry on that searingly hot Summer afternoon outside the McClennan County Courthouse - a man, slight of stature, but with a lion's heart, under an unforgiving sun. At the end of the day, our small band of pickets suffered dehydration, sunburn and near sunstroke. Later we were shocked to learn that he had a bad heart.
Jerry had stood proudly alone - when an entire city should have wept at his side.
Soon thousands across the state, the nation and the world would know of Queso's life and death - for one man would not let it pass, forgotten and unmourned.
We demand much of our heroes - and Jerry was one to us. We are better persons for having known him. Our personal loss - felt by those of us touched by his glowing spirit - pales beside the greater loss to humanity. For we, who knew Jerry, sensed with absolute certainty and now, bitter sorrow, that never again shall we see his equal.
God gives the world some gifts but once.
We can only trust and pray that our passing so close to the flame of Jerry's life may kindle in us an eternal and unquenchable fire, that like his, cries out uncompromisingly for compassion, mercy and justice.
Jerry always knew what was right and went straight ahead. He never equivocated, never vacillated - he never compromised black and white into actionless shades of gray. In uncertain times, his ethical compass pointed to true North and he proudly, impractically followed his heart.
His body was frail but it held an indomitable spirit. Jerry pursued the wicked with the blinding light of an avenging angel's sword. In the end, Jerry's heart could not withstand the demands of his great soul.
We miss you, Jerry, and will try to remain worthy of your friendship and trust in us as caretakers of your dream.
Surely the hosts of Rainbow Bridge rise as one to sing his soul to rest - and frolic with him in the fields of Our Father's mansions. Rejoice! For those that were lost are now found. He that has passed is renewed; forever whole, forever young.
Godspeed, Jerry,
Friends of Queso
Brian M. Byrne
2003
