On my desk, and a few more in the drawer, is a card with an Irish blessing on the front and two names stamped on the back: James J. and Lucille Mains.

When you received mail from Jim &#8220Bear” Mains, the card was always included with the letter. It was something you always expected.

But Jim Mains didn't always do what was expected. His death Tuesday at the age of 88 had me thinking of all the memories I had built during my association with one of the true great gentlemen of not only Ironton and Lawrence County, but all those he touched throughout the state.

When Mains was coaching football at Ironton St. Joseph, he once started a Sunday game by having Jake Scherer fly over Tanks Memorial Stadium and dropping the game ball at midfield, or somewhere in the neighborhood.

Mains worked in an era when you coached all three sports, so he always coached basketball and baseball at St. Joseph.

Not only a great football coach, Mains knew how to get results on the basketball floor. He guided the Flyers to a 17-5 record in 1951 and their only regional tournament appearance.

But the ride was just as exciting off the court.

Losing one Saturday afternoon to Coal Grove, Mains gave the team manager some money and had him buy some soda pop and potato chips. He then set them down in the middle of the locker room floor.

&#8220Fellas,” Mains said, &#8220You're not enjoying yourselves out there, so enjoy yourself in here.” He then left the locker room and let the players think about how they played.

The Flyers came out the second half and won 66-55.

More than once, in football and basketball, Mains deployed his version of &#8220Win one for the Gipper.”

Mains came in at halftime and began to fake a heart attack. Gasping for air, he asked his players to go out and win the game because he might never see them play again.

The players responded in great fashion, but they didn't have to worry about Mains finding out how the game went because the Bear would make his way back to the bench before the game had ended.

Talking about the accomplishments of Jim Mains could take pages. Talking about how he affected the lives of people could take volumes. He was one of a kind that we may never know again.

It is with a fond sadness that I wrote this final column to the Bear. And I can only close in Bear Mains fashion:

&#8220May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

May the rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.