"Dear Bill, 9-10-2012
Hope this letter finds you well and blessed. I was pleasantly surprised to receive your letter and to hear there is life after TDCJ. Please excuse me from not writing sooner but my funds have been somewhat inconsistent. Therefore, I find myself like you with no stamps until I can finally make store again. I have written this response in hope of going to store on Monday Sept 10th.
God continues to bless me abundantly and I praise Him for His mercy and grace. Things are about the same here. I have been blessed with good health and continue to be honored to serve God in any way He may need me. The wing has almost completely flipped with many new faces......Several people have received FI's, even our buddy, Glenn. Many with FI's are just waiting to go.
I hope to see parole soon and am hoping to get parole on my first 10 yr. sentence and be able to start my second 10 yrs. Praise God, Jane wrote a wonderful support letter in which she was wrong for divorcing me. (wow) All my kids and several friends also sent letters. Still working on my case and making slow but steady progress.
Krista is in Love and dating a guy from L.A. and all the family loves him, even Jane, so I guess he may be the one. She is so happy. Her job is going well and she loves L.A.
Kyle is doing great. He is trying to get a job at Lockheed Martin in Ft. Worth. He has found the Love of his life and is really happy. He and Krista surprised me a week before my birthday with a visit. Caught me totally by surprise. It was her first visit in 18 months. They are planning another visit at Christmas.
Tamra and Tom are doing better. Tom was in a near fatal motorcycle accident a few weeks ago hitting his head without a helmet. She is studying to become a massage therapist and wants to start her own business next year. She came to visit on Father's Day.
This past week I got a sad email from Jane. Our sweet Lab, Sugar, was put down. She was 15 and her quality of life was declining. It broke everyone's heart. She was such a special part of our family.
Can't believe you are back in Dallas!! :-) I don't remember the exact date you left here, but I'm really glad you are back in "Big D"...... I know that you ate good at Goree. That's one thing the units in Huntsville do is feed well.
I remember Wayne. He and Tight White left the same night. I also remember Ricky Del Valle (Puerto Rico). I thought he was out by now...Ricky left a long time ago.
Your stay at the Walls must have been an experience. Glad you had good cellies while you were in transit. You have been sent to a real challenge at that halfway house. How long do you have to stay there? Eight men in a hotel room and one shower, Wow!! How is the job search going? I know the market is tough, but know you are in my prayers. May God give you the perfect job. Have you been able to get any help from agencies like Social Security, Texas Rehabilitation?
You should be able to get food stamps, help from Salvation Army (clothes), Goodwill (clothes), Wal-Mart (clothes and food). It may not be available until you get out of the halfway house....
Yes, you may be shooting too high in your expectations of salary. Take a lesser paying job and then take your time to find the ideal job for you. Glad you are getting help from Robin, InterComm Service Group. Sounds like a good source of help. Glad you got your property from the Neal Unit. I wish I could send you an email!!! :-)
I'm still in the same bunk and as I mentioned, there's been lots of changes. I have shared your letter with Rick and Randy as well as several other guys you know. I've told everyone hello for you. I understand about only being able to write 2 letters when you used to write so many letters. Yes, I dearly remember the card you sent. Thanks for remembering my birthday. You were always so good about remembering everyone's special day.
The Olympics were fun to watch. We got to see most of the coverage for the two weeks. It was awesome.
Glad you heard from Rick Reece. Everyone still asks about you at Kairos.
I can't even imagine how much Dallas* has changed in the last 8 years. The construction projects must be everywhere. How far has the rail been constructed? It stopped at George Bush Freeway up 75 when I came to prison. I don't remember Shanon Hiser, but glad he is doing well. As I mentioned earlier, I have shared your letter and address with several people, but many on the list you named are no longer in the wing.
Well, I hope Rick Reece comes through and makes it to Dallas so he can take you to Pappadeaux. Thanks again for thinking of me on my birthday and taking the time and effort to send a card and write a letter (one of your 2/week.)
Please keep me updated on your progress and the process of getting back into Society. May God bless you abudantly. Take care and stay safe.
Your friend in Christ,
Coach :-)
P.S. Finally got some stamps!!!!"
Coach has RECENTLY BEEN MOVED!!!
Shortly after Poppa*'s return to Dallas* in June of 2012, he contacted Coach....
Dear Bill 10-13-2014
It was such a blessing to receive your card, pictures and newsletter. You have always had a heart for making others feel special and remembered. God is using you in a mighty way. Hope this letter finds you well and blessed. Hearing from you is always so encouraging; seeing that life after prison is possible by the grace of God.
The Felony Foundation continues to grow through your dedication and hard work. Believe me, your labor is not in vain. The inmates here that you stay in contact with appreciate hearing from you very much. The list of ministries associated with you is impressive. What a blessing to see how God has brought you all together.
My birthday was good. I heard from my family and some good friends. You know how uplifting it is to know that someone is thinking of you and you are not forgotten in prison. God has blessed me so very much and allows me to continue developing my relationship through the Holy Spirit with him. Praise God I am learning so much and am waiting for the day I can be reunited to my family and friends.
God has given me an idea for a real estate business which will become a family business I can pass on to my kids.
Jane is still working at CCA as the Head of Admissions, but expects the school to close after this year due to continued low enrollment. She is currently looking for a new opportunity. She and I still communicate, but she hasn't been to see me in about 3 years which really hurts.......I'm still believing that God will reconcile us. :-)
Tamra, my oldest, lost her husband last May. He had become a Bandito and was on a weekend ride in New Mexico when he was struck by lightning and killed instantly. God has provided for her and my granddaughters but it is very hard on her.
Kyle has moved in with his girlfriend of 2 years. She is a nurse at Baylor Medical. He has applied to several fine departments and is hoping to get on in Carrollton. I am very proud of his determination over the past 2 1/2 years.
Krista got married to A.J. last January in the Dominican Republic. Jane and all the family and friends attended the destination wedding. They live in California. Krista is a National Sales Manager for a company from Australia. A.J. is an aspiring actor and has been in small parts on all the soaps, several commercials and some limited TV and movie spots. He is doing a program with Jane Fonda and Lilly Tomlin!! He is close to his big break.
How are your kids? Hope they have reconciled with you. I remember our conversations and how much you loved and missed your kids.
We had a guy escape recently but was recaptured quickly; but of course the unit was then locked down for 2 weeks.
All is going well and God is so good to me. I'm still fighting my case and hope to get some relief soon.
Take care and God bless. May God continue to bless your ministry. You're busy, but it's always good to hear from you.
Your brother in Christ,
Love,
"Coach"
After 6 months, Poppa* requested a move to one of the dorms. Poppa* was re-assigned to "O" wing in 5 Building. Coach was also assigned to "O" wing, so their friendship continued and matured.
Coach was born on August 15th. He is a Leo. He is characterized by his highly ambitious, honest and slightly stubborn spirit.
Lynn Lewis Funk's Home Page
You may write Coach at:
Lynn Lewis Funk
01275560 LeBlanc
3695 FM 3514
Beaumont, TX 77705
Poppa* received this letter in September of 2012.
Poppa* met Lynn shortly after his arrival to the Neal Unit in Amarillo, Texas.They were housed in 2 Building in the same wing. Lynn goes by the nickname "Coach".
Coach is a cool, laidback guy. Actually, Coach is one of the first guys in the dorm that be-friended Poppa*.
Coach is a few years older than Poppa*, so he was like a Big Brother. Coach is also from Dallas*, Texas. Coach was into Real Estate before his incarceration and Poppa* and Coach shared a lot of the same interests.
Coach is very family oriented and Poppa* always enjoyed Coach's stories about his previous life.