CLEVELAND -- Below are quotes from the Gerald Levert memorial service.

"I'm sure he is climbing that stairway to heaven."
-Judge Mathis

"He cared too much about everything and everybody."
-Lemicah Edward Levert's, Levert's son

"I will be keeping his legacy alive."
-Carlysia Levert.

"I am thankful and proud to have him as my daddy."
-Camryn Levert

"He would give you the shirt off his back."
-Eddie Levert

"Everyone wanted Gerald to like them."
-Ed Gordon

"Take a moment to appreciate how precious life is."
-Omorosa

"He said he was going out as the black Elvis. Hey, man. You did it. You did it."
-Sean Levert

"It's hard for me to believe that he is gone. This is unbelievable."
-Kym Whitley

Friends Remember Gerald Levert Quotes from the Levert program

"I love my son...there is nothing more to say."

-Eddie Levert

"We are deeply hurt by the tremendous loss of our son, nephew and close friend, Gerald Levert. We watched him grow up and he developed into a fine young man, writer, producer and Entertainer in this extremely tough world and business. God knows and blessed the road Geral Levert traveled. We may have lost him along the way, but he will forever remain in our hearts."

-Walter Williams, founding member of The O'Jays

"He was like a son to me. He was such a great entertainer. It's not real to me that he is gone. Nobody was prepared for this."

-Patti LaBelle

"Please accept my most sincere condolences for your loss. Your family has contributed so much to soul music. You've given us music that has made the world a better place. The whole world shares in your loss because we've truly lost one of our greatest voices much too soon. May God bless and keep you."

-John Legend

"Gerald Levert was a challenging, dynamic, young performer who surely made his dad and family proud. He has moved on up a little higher now, and he's starring in the heavens now. And we'll understand it better, bye and bye."

-Aretha Franklin

"Gerald Levert was the essence of soul music. His showmanship, authentic vocal style and delivery set the standard for all R&B crooners. Gerald poured his heart and sould into every note, and with his passing, not only R&B, the recording industry has lost one of its greatest gems. Gerald will be deeply missed."

-Freddie Jackson

"Gerald Levert was born with a soulful spoon in his mouth. He learned how to sing and live from one of the greatest ever at both, his dad, Eddie Levert. He sung like he lived, with raw soul. The only thing more soulful than his voice, was his laugh. My inkwell isn't deep enough to express how much I will miss both."

-Donnie Simpson, WPGC, Washington, D.C.

"I will deeply miss my friend, not just as a musical giant, but as a good man. My heart goes out to his family and simply put, 'a rose is a rose is a rose.'

-Teena Marie

"I had the pleasure of working with Gerald years ago on a Winan's album that he produced. I am inspired by another child of a legend who was able to carry on his father's name and make a new light for himself."

-Lalah Hathaway