Farewell to a Champion: Deon Lendore’s Unforgettable Journey

It’s not every day that you come across someone like Deon Lendore. A three-time Olympian, a champion, a coach, and a source of inspiration for many—his journey was one for the books. But life can be unpredictable, and sometimes it deals us a tough hand.

At just 29 years old, Deon’s bright path was tragically cut short in a head-on car crash. He was a volunteer assistant coach for Texas A&M’s college track and field team, and on that fateful Monday evening, he was returning home from practice. Little did he know that the day would take a turn no one saw coming.

Picture this: a sunny day in Milam County, with Deon driving his trusty 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. He probably had some tunes playing, and his thoughts might have been on the upcoming track events. But then, oops! He “crossed over the center stripe and side-swiped a vehicle that was traveling eastbound.” Whoopsie! But it didn’t end there. His car continued westbound and, in a true comedy of errors, collided “head-on” with another vehicle—an Infiniti. Yikes!

The aftermath was devastating, and officials had to report the heart-wrenching news. Deon Lendore, the bright star, the talented athlete, was no more. As they say, life can throw you curveballs, but this one hit us all hard.

He represented Trinidad and Tobago in not one, not two, but three Olympic Games! Talk about a track sensation! In the London 2012 Olympics, he even brought home a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay. Now, that’s what we call fast and fabulous!

His time at Texas A&M was nothing short of spectacular. Records were shattered, and he even won the title of Male Athlete of the Year—twice! Oh, and let’s not forget the tie! Yes, a tie! We can imagine the excitement and friendly rivalry.

Deon was more than just an athlete to his coach, Pat Henry. He was like family—a family that laughed together, trained together, and cherished every moment together. It’s never easy to lose a family member, and Coach Henry’s words reflect the pain we all feel.

The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team poured their hearts out on Twitter, trying to find the words to express their sorrow. It’s tough to say goodbye to a hero, an “inspiration and motivation” to all.

Throughout his career, Deon waved the Trinidad and Tobago flag with pride, honor, and an indomitable spirit. He made his country proud, and his legacy will forever live on.

To the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, he was not just an Olympian or a bronze medalist—he was a symbol of honor. A former Texas A&M sprinter who represented his nation proudly.

Deon Lendore, you might be gone, but you’ll never be forgotten. May you rest in peace, dear champion. The track won’t be the same without you, but we’ll always remember the joy, the triumphs, and the laughter you brought into our lives. Farewell, speedster! 🏃‍♂️💨