Watch: Family, friends celebrate the life of Arizona Wildcats legend Dick Tomey

“He didn’t teach or coach you, he molded you”

Friday morning was a time to honor and celebrate the life of former Arizona Wildcats head coach Dick Tomey. 

Tomey passed away at 80 years old earlier in May following a five-month battle with lung cancer. He was the head coach at the UA over 14 seasons from 1987-2000 and became the all-time winningest head coach in program history with a 95-64-4 record. 

Known for his ability to bring people from different backgrounds together, his passion for football and genuine love for the ones he cared about, thousands of Tomey's family members, friends, former players and colleagues gathered at McKale Center Friday morning to honor Tomey.

Here are a few video clips from a moving and emotional funeral service for Tomey.  

Utah athletic director and former UA football manager Mark Harlan

Former UA football manager and current Utah AD Mark Harlan: "Football isn't complicated, people are. There was nobody better at loving complicated people than Coach Tomey."

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

Mark Harlan: “I love you, Coach Tomey. Aloha.” pic.twitter.com/6rSt0rmrSc

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

UA president Robert Robbins

UA President Robert Robbins on Dick Tomey and the Desert Swarm defense: pic.twitter.com/yIORUYBBwT

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo

Navy head coach and former Hawaii player Ken Niumatalolo gets emotional talking about Dick Tomey. pic.twitter.com/tz3jNHjKAm

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 31, 2019

Dick Vermeil

Former UCLA and NFL coach Dick Vermeil on the uniqueness of how Dick Tomey coached: “He didn’t teach or coach you, he molded you.” pic.twitter.com/cR5oUN9lB1

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

Former Arizona RB Kelvin Eafon

Former Arizona standout (1996-98) Kelvin Eafon on Dick Tomey’s ability to bring people together: pic.twitter.com/42NFtfCu6F

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

Former Arizona DL Joe Salave'a

Joe Salave’a says anytime Dick Tomey visited the Polynesian islands to recruit, everyone would greet and acknowledge him. “That’s powerful. ... You would’ve thought he had some Polynesian in him.” pic.twitter.com/F7giLLH5f0

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

Chuck Cecil

Former UA standout @chuckcecil26 shares one of his favorite Dick Tomey stories. pic.twitter.com/1MIIFif1k1

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

#ArizonaWildcats great @chuckcecil26 chokes up talking about UA legend Dick Tomey. pic.twitter.com/ixQVufkGK3

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 31, 2019

Tomey's daughter, Angie

Dick Tomey’s daughter, Angie, on her father: pic.twitter.com/6jLjxOCbOc

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019

Tomey's son, Rich

Dick Tomey’s son, Rich, on his father: “He was truly a man that cared.” pic.twitter.com/ROp5wEJYcT

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019