Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Jerome Wesley (Christiansburg High School Class of ’90) was known as a tough football on both sides of the ball.
He also had a magnetic personality that everyone around him gravitated to. He passed away Wednesday at the age of 48.
Wesley had helped coached youth football teams for the Christiansburg Recreation Department, assistant at the high school where he graduated from, and an alumni team for older players.
In 2014, he suffered a stroke that left his speech impaired and no use of his right side.
Wesley was a member of the 1989 Christiansburg football team, which lost in the state semifinals. He played both full back and linebacker.
On Thursday, Christiansburg Athletic Director Tim Cromer characterized Wesley as having a magnetic personality.
“He was a friendly guy and loved life. On the field, he was a good blocker and team player. He was a true Blue Demon,” Cromer said.
Darren Graham was the quarterback on the CHS with Wesley. This week, he also remembered his former teammate.
“He was an absolute stud on both side of the field, and a teammate everyone would like to have. He will be missed and remembered in the Blue Demon community,” he said.
Wesley was also a state champion wrestler, and after graduation. He served in the U.S. Army and spent time as an assistant coach for a high school in Northern Virginia.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
