Velarde left mark on beach volleyball, GCU

Anyone touched by Remy Velarde speaks of a light that he radiated in life.

After the GCU standout senior in Graphic Design and Advertising and three-year beach volleyball manager passed away Tuesday evening, Velarde's life continued to illuminate the minds of the friends, professors and co-workers whom he brightened.

"When we all got the news, everyone's heart just hurt," said Jamie Walsh, a GCU graduate who encouraged her friend to become her Lopes beach volleyball team's manager in 2017. "We were like, 'Why him?' He was universally loved. He was always there for us. He was our biggest supporter and our biggest fan. From the moment I met him, I knew he was going to impact our world at GCU in so many different ways."

remy velarde

Velarde, who turned 23 on June 26, was slated to graduate in December and already was pledged a job by Innovative Construction Technology, whose ICT Tracker is augmented reality software that is developed at GCU as part of the Canyon Ventures Center.

Velarde's graphic design talent and magnetic personality won over the ICT team in much the same way that the Houston native connected with every walk of life at GCU.

Mary Macdonald, the company's marketing director, spoke to Velarde on Tuesday morning about taking on social media responsibility in his current company role. She envisioned that he would direct ICT's advertising upon his graduation.

"The thing that bothers me the most is that Remy was an incredibly talented young man," Macdonald said. "But more than just talent, he had passion. He has such an innate sense of what we need. I swear he had an old soul. It's like he'd been in the business for years.

"This is construction technology. It's not something most kids would know unless you grew up in the construction industry. But it didn't take him long to really grasp what we were trying to accomplish. He saw the vision, and he could apply it with his skill and his talent."

The social media tributes flowed with effusive praise since Velarde was struck by a train in Steilacoom, Washington, while on a visit to his brother, Jade. His friends spoke of "a heart of pure gold" and how "he was the best of us" while describing his contagious smile, selfless ways and willing ear.

"He was a man gripped by the spirit of God and made everyone in his life, stranger or not, feel like a superhero," GCU senior Will Anderson said. "What a man of peace and encouragement."

Sheila Schumacher, GCU's Director of Digital Design, said he was a leader in her department with a constant smile and excellent work ethic.

"In our classes, I talk a lot about how God has created each student as a unique creative being, and the style and creative sense in each of them has a specific purpose in this world," said Schumacher, citing Exodus 35:30-33. "Remy told me this spring that he had never thought about connecting his faith and work in that way, and he was energized to know that his creativity was gifted to him by God."

Remy Velarde

Velarde was a standout soccer player at Stratford High School in Houston, the area where he also served as an assistant director for a Christian youth camp. He filled his sports passion when he came to GCU by playing intramural soccer and being a meticulous, passionate manager for the nationally ranked Lopes beach volleyball team's coaches and players.

In an Instagram post, GCU beach volleyball senior Devonne Ryter said Velarde was "the type of selfless person to put others' problems and desires above your own because it was just 'who you were.' "

It hits the GCU beach volleyball program particularly hard with Friday being the three-year anniversary of Joe Rohr's passing. Rohr was the husband of Lopes beach volleyball head coach Kristen Rohr and an assistant coach for the program.

"These two angels made every day brighter and provided so much love and selflessness without hesitation," former GCU All-American beach volleyball player Molly Turner wrote of Velarde and Rohr on Instagram. "My heart hurts, but I feel better knowing you're both together. I have two beautiful people looking down on me."

Remy Velarde

ICT Tracker co-founder and CEO Tim Duncan talked to Velarde on Monday during a conference call.

"We all work remote, but he did have this way of connecting with each one of us on a personal level," Duncan said. "It wasn't like he was off doing his own little thing. Because of his interaction and sincerity, I think we all felt like we knew him. I got the sense that he was a very genuine soul who really cared a lot, not only about other people, but also about his image and how he portrayed himself within the organization and in the world as a whole."

Remy Velarde's church community is raising money for his family. Funds are needed to transport his body from Seattle to his home in Houston and to help pay medical expenses. A memorial service is scheduled for 7 a.m. Arizona time Friday. Donations can be made here.

GCU Today writer Rick Vacek contributed to this report.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Molly Turner

Jamie Walsh

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