More than one thousand people gathered in St. Louis on Monday to attend the funeral service for beloved De Smet football coach Jaz Granderson.
"This is a celebration, said family friend Demetrious Johnson, who was speaking on behalf of the family. "This is an appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication he gave to the community at 27 years old and the lives he touched. You don’t just get people out without touching lives and he has touched a lot of lives young and old."
The funeral was held at Central Baptist Church. Many wore Granderson's favorite colors of purple and black.
Granderson was shot and killed on Oct. 16 in south St. Louis near Minnesota and Hill. Police said the search for his killer is on-going. There are no updates with the investigation and the only lead that we know of is a witness who saw a car leaving the scene.
READ MORE: Coach Granderson’s mother asks for justice
He joined the De Smet football coaching staff in 2016. Granderson was known by family and friends as someone who was making a positive impact in his community. From his Jaz Granderson Foundation to his off-season football program for the youth called Grand Camp, Granderson made it his mission to help young people.
"He wants to be like you," said Johnson, who was referring to a conversation he had with Granderson's father Johnny Granderson. "And give toys away for Christmas and he gave way over 300 toys."
On Saturday, the De Smet football team played without their assistant coach. The team wore green in honor of Granderson’s foundation. The foundation helps provide services to St. Louis youth through football camps.
"It was gloomy earlier but the sun is out now Jaz," said Dello Davis, a teammate of Granderson's at Kirkwood and one of his best friends. "I see you watching us. I see you smiling."
Granderson also was a standout athlete at Harper College, the University of Northern Iowa and then transferred to Lindenwood University.
