Gerald Wayne English

Gerald Wayne English, born July 15, 1936, in Wyandotte, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of April 17, 2025. Jerry was surrounded by those closest to him as he took his last breath on this earth.

He joins his loving family in Heaven, including his wife of 54 years, Barbara. He has also been reunited with his firstborn son, Gregory Yale English, who passed away five years ago.

Given the name Gerald at birth, he was known to countless thousands of students as Coach English, and to many friends and family, he was affectionately called Jerry. His title of Dad lives on through his surviving son, Jason “Jake” English, and Grandpa to his beloved grandchildren: Gerald, Katie, and Jacob. To many, he was known as a second father.

Graduating from Hillsborough High School, Class of 1956, Jerry worked for the County Parks Department while enrolled at the University of Tampa. He proudly served in the U.S. Army, and what began as a career in teaching and coaching soon became his life’s greatest calling. He became a P.E. teacher at Sanders Elementary, eventually becoming the Assistant Principal. When Land O’ Lakes High School opened, he saw an opportunity to return to the classroom, where his heart had never left.

He taught social studies and became the head coach for the girls’ softball team, impacting countless lives throughout his career.

He also spent five seasons as head coach at nearby Academy at the Lakes, building the Wildcats into a respected program with a 64–25 record. His combined career total included 551 wins, 15 district championships, six regional championships, three sectional championships, five state Final Four appearances, and two state runner-up titles. He was twice named Florida Coach of the Year, U.S. Southeastern Coach of the Year, and earned multiple Suncoast Area Coach of the Year awards. In 1994, his illustrious career led to his induction into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Land O’ Lakes High School Hall of Fame for both athletics and his teaching career.

He walked six of his former players down the aisle, standing in for the fathers they didn’t have—because that’s who Jerry was: a man who always showed up for others.

Beyond the classroom and ball field, Jerry had a passion for history. In retirement, he took up historical reenactment, restoring and driving a World War II Jeep (yes, complete with a .50-caliber replica machine gun). He built lasting friendships while camping and reenacting with the many wonderful people he met.

His chosen family—the Larsons, Middletons, Hoskins, and many others—brought him countless smiles through the warmth of their love.

A special heartfelt thanks must be given to Holly Brown and her precious sons and family. There is no doubt that the love of this family extended his life by years. They gave him purpose, joy, and the daily presence of laughter and love.

Just prior to his passing, he expressed a desire—strong in voice and spirit—to say he just wanted “to go home and be with Jesus.” This was a testament to his deep love for the Lord and those who went before him.

Thank you to all the former students, athletes, and friends who brought him so much happiness. Our lives are forever better because of a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a man we all affectionately called Jerry.

In lieu of flowers, a special memorial account has been set up at Creekside Church in his honor for the purchase of a commercial oven to support the many events he loved, especially those centered around gathering for a meal.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 24th at Creekside Church, 311 Newberger Rd, Lutz

Visitation: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life: 11:00 a.m.

A full lunch will follow the service, provided by the McBride family and their ministry he loved, Five Loaves and Two Fish.