Hundreds packed into a local church to pay their last respects to a Rochester legend Saturday.

Most knew him as Trent Jackson, but those close to Jackson called him “T.J.”.

One by one, loved ones shared their memories of Jackson, Saturday afternoon.

He was known in the community not only as an Olympic athlete, but also as a teacher and friend.

Jackson's former student, Alvin Mobley, traveled from Ohio to say goodbye.

He says it was like burying a parent.

"Being a father, caring, you know a lot of these kids, they didn't have a father growing up and Coach Jackson treated us like we were his own kids," Mobley said.

Mobley, a former professional basketball player, says without his coach and mentor he wouldn't have made it as far as he did.

"I'd probably been in jail or something like that, been in a lot of trouble. He came in my life in a point of time where I needed him in my life," Mobley said.

Friends and family spent more than three hours honoring Jackson's life.

They spent the afternoon singing and sharing stories about the sports legend.

Among the hundreds of guests, Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy and former mayor, Bill Johnson were in attendance.