James Coach Jimmy "Coach Jimmy" Gilbert

"When the one great scorer comes to write against your name- He marks- Not that you won or lost- but how you played the game."(Grantland Rice). James Monroe Gilbert “Coach Jimmy” a resident of Baton Rouge since 1968, he died July 10, 2016 at Lane Nursing Home in Zachary. He was born September 14, 1925 in Winnfield, LA. He was a member of University Baptist Church. Visiting at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd. from 5 to 8 Thursday evening, July 14th and 9 to 10 Friday morning, July 15th before religious services at the funeral home chapel conducted by Dr. Michael Massar. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law James M. Gilbert, Jr and Carolyn Mallery Gilbert, Mandeville, LA, Jay Larry Robert Gilbert and Connie Marks Gilbert, Zachary, LA and a daughter and son-in-law Susan Fran and Joseph Locascio, New Orleans; six grandchildren, Mallery Day Gilbert Mayo,PhD., Priscilla Lu Gilbert France, Dr.Jeanne Nicole "Nikki" Gilbert Gautreaux, Misty Leigh Gilbert O'Brien D.V.M., Kaitlin Laurell Locascio, J.D. and James Kyle Locascio;10 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betty Evans and Tom Causey, Monroe, LA; three nieces and four nephews; the Don Booty family, a special part of the Gilbert family for many years. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Dora Lee Evans Gilbert, his father Dewey Alexander Gilbert and his mother Frances Inez Bass Gilbert, two brothers Wallace and Dewey Lariece (Larry) Gilbert, a U.S. Navy pilot killed during WWII; and a sister Mary Frances Stuckey. Jimmy was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII having served in the Pacific Theatre. He was a coach and teacher for over forty years at Stanley, Winnfield, Franklinton, Jonesboro-Hodge, Jena, Bossier, Bastrop, LSU Lab School (University High), Episcopal, Vilseck (Germany), and Brusly. He was a four year football letterman at LA Tech and served as captain of the 1949 Gulf State Conference Championship team. He also lettered at Tulane while in the officer training program and later played in the Army-Navy All Star football game in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from LA Tech with Academic honors, was inducted into ODK, National Honor Society and was also recognized as Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He received his graduate degree from the University of Arkansas. He is past-president of the LA Tech "T" Club, LA High School Coaches Association, and LSU Track and Field Officials Association. He served on the executive committee of the LA High School Athletic Association. He is a member of the LA High School Hall of Fame as a coach and the LSU T&F Officials Hall of Fame as an official, (officiating for over 50 years.) He was inducted into the University Lab School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. He was a charter member of N.A.A.G.Q. (National Association for the Advancement of Grandstand Quarterbacks) from the 1946 LA Tech football team and they just celebrated their 66th meeting this year. Other volunteer work includes serving as a docent at the LSU Lod Cook Alumni Center and a reading helper at Highland Elementary School. Coach Jimmy wished to make honorary pallbearers of all the former athletes that were his privilege to coach as well as Gene Rosa his long-time buddy. His family asks in lieu of flowers his friends make memorial donations to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, P.O.Box 4196, Monroe, LA 71211-4196, to University Baptist Church, 203 Leeward Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, or to the charity of their choice. Our family wishes to thank Always Best Care (Sophia Tate and Shalonda Barton), Oakwood Assisted Living staff, and Lane Nursing Home staff for their loving care of our wonderful father.