The Long Beach area sports scene has lost one of its most popular and valiant fighters.

Dallas Humphreys, a brave young man who played baseball at East Long Beach Pony died today at the age of 12 after a year-plus battle with Leukemia.

Humphreys was the subject of stories both here and at the Press-Telegram as the Long Beach community rallied to help raise funds and the hopes for a transplant match for Dallas, but his little body took it’s last breath at 8:46 Wednesday morning.

Dallas was surrounded by his parents, Rob and Hollye and well as brothers Robert and Hayden and sister, Bianca.

The family left a beautiful and yet crushing message to all of you that have followed his courageous battle.

“This morning we say goodbye to the strongest, bravest child. Heaven has a new Angel with Dodger Blue wings as Dallas passed away this morning at 8:46. Our recent battles were too much for Dallas’s organs physically, but he refused to give in mentally and insisted we know he was fine. Dallas was able to see all his siblings and even stayed awake long enough to watch part of the all-star game. It was if he was fighting so he could see all of his family before allowing the virus to take over. This morning, we laid with Dallas in his bed and letting him know how proud we are of him. We kissed and caressed him as he took his last breaths.”

The Humphreys family have understandably asked for privacy during this time of tremendous grief, but we at LBPOSTSports.com would kindly ask those of you who wish to send the family a message of love or condolence, please go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dallashumphreys.

We will continue to alert the public when funeral arrangements have been announced and when/if there is a way to donate or help the Humphreys family or those battling cancer.

On behalf of the entire Long Beach community, we send out our most heartfelt condolences to the Humphreys family and thank Dallas for showing us how to fight in the face of such ugliness.

May God bless Dallas Humphreys.


Some of the Long Beach State Dirtbags sported armbands in Dallas’ honor during games last season, after visiting him in the hospital. Photo by John Fajardo.