photo courtesy of Daytona Beach News-Journal

By Dan Ryan

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --  An overflow crowd of family, teammates and friends shared laughter and grief on Thursday, March 1 at the memorial service for Daytona Beach Thunder defensive back Javan Camon at Lohman Funeral Home.

Presided by the Rev. Isaac Thomas of St. Mary’s Primitive Baptist Church, the emotional two-hour service included testimonials from Camon’s loved one as well as his Thunder teammates and ownership group.

With a memory table showcasing his jerseys from the University of South Florida and the Thunder – including his favorite number “12” from both teams and the number “4” he was wearing Monday night as a backdrop, Thunder chaplain Kenny Reeves quoted Psalms 23 and recalled that Camon was “a special guy and a great spirit.”

He never complained,” Reeves said. “He lifted MY spirits.”

Thunder owner Antone Smothers appreciated Camon’s casual, laid-back approach.

“We’d be at my town home discussing things and he’d always go `Aw tone, it ain’t like that,’’ said Smothers, bringing laughter to the proceedings. He was very unique.

“This is a tough business and today is the toughest of days, Smothers added. “But I see how truly blessed we are that so many different worlds have been brought together today.”

Owner/CEO Zack McDonald remembered that “he shouted for joy” when learning that Camon was returning to play for the Thunder a second season.

“I don’t have to tell anyone what an asset he was on the field or that he was an awesome athlete -- all you had to do was watch him play,” McDonald said. “It was the person that Javan was that impressed me the most.

“Service was his gift,” McDonald added. “Whether it was pressure washing dasher pads in the freezing cold, laying down turf, or helping clean the Thunder bus, he did it with that Javan smile and positive Javan attitude.”

Wide receiver/defensive back Kwasie Kwaku remembered Camon both as a good friend and player.

“I want to thank God for blessing me with Javan’s friendship,” Kwaku said. “There was never a dull moment.

“He was a great football player,” Kwaku said. “He would know what the wide receiver would do even before the ball was snapped.

Kwaku delivered one of the funniest recollections when recalling how Camon was “serious about his hair.

“We’re playing the game Monday and he makes an interception,” Kwaku recalled. “We both came to the bench and he goes `how does my hair look?”

Kwaku’s remarks concluded about Camon’s love of the sport.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the passion of playing football,” Kwaku said. “Javan was born a football player and died a football player.”

Camon’s stepfather, Ernel Montgomery, noted that the service showed that “Javan was loved and he loved as well.He left us doing the thing he loved most. He fulfilled his dream.”

Using Genesis 3 at the basis for his remarks, Thomas sought to find reasons for the whens and whys of death.

“Javan’s life was a motivation for others to love each other and live at peace,” Thomas said. “That can only be done through the spirit of God that was within him.” Funeral arrangements are pending.

A memorial fund has been established. See the homepage of www.dbthunderfootball.com for more information.