MODESTO –

There are the fans, and of course the big plays. For Big Valley Christian High School in Modesto, Friday night football will never be the same.

“I miss him,” said Big Valley Christian High School fullback Riley Foster, with tears in his eyes.

Not the way you’re used to seeing a star high school football player start a game. Riley Foster is talking about Larry Shimel, who was a coach at Big Valley for nine years and a teacher at Modesto High School. Earlier this week, during Shimel’s special education class, he collapsed and later died of a heart attack.

For Shimel’s only child Sean, his father’s death was unexpected.

“It was very sudden. They couldn’t get the heart started again,” Sean Shimel said.

Shimel’s wife Becci has taught at Big Valley for 34 years. She was at the school when she got the alarming call. She says her husband was a humble man.

“He didn’t come home and say guess what great thing I did today,” Becci Shimel said.

That’s why they held this special tribute for him.

Shimel’s legacy that he leaves behind is to always live your best life now. For all who really knew him, he led by example.

“Coach Shimel is a true champion for Christ. Everywhere he went he spread love,” said Big Valley Christian Superintendent Bobby Kirchner.