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OAKLAND, California ( KPIX ) -- Hundreds gathered Friday night in Oakland for a tribute to coach John Beam and to celebrate his life. It was the first organized memorial for the coach since he was fatally shot on Nov. 13.

A moment of silence was held for Beam and each person who attended had their own story to tell.

"Coach saved my life," said former player Kevin Parker. "Coach is my father. When I didn't have a father. Coach, he's my hero."

Parker played for Beam and went to play college football at Oregon. The former running back was lured to Skyline High School by Beam.

"Coach was god sent," he said. "God put him in Oakland for a reason. So, he knows exactly what every young man needed. Especially those that didn't have a father in their house

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