Jerry Queen, 71, of Lafayette, LA died January 21, 2015. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 31 years, Rose Mary Butcher. He is also survived by her children who were like his very own, Vicki McMinn Delhomme and her husband, Danny of Lafayette and Sharon "Sherry" McMinn of Lafayette; and five grandchildren, Brandon Burleigh, Lauryn Burleigh, Cameron Delhomme, Timothy Delhomme and Brady Delhomme.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. Queen and Fleta Ballard Queen and numerous aunts and uncles.

Coach Queen was a native of Lincolnton, N.C. He contracted Polio at the age of 4 and was a patient of Shriners Hospital in Greenville S.C. for over 10 years. He was a proud graduate of North Carolina State University in 1966 and also received an MS degree in Mathematics from Atlanta University in 1974. While at North Carolina State, he was a member of Circle K and Kappa Phi Kappa, serving as President in 1966.

Jerry Queen was a man of extraordinary talents. He was an outstanding teacher and coach for 23 years in Atlanta, Georgia. He is most noted for his time served at Marist School. During his twenty years at Marist, he served as a math teacher, assistant football coach, and Director of Athletics. Jerry gained numerous accolades as the Head Baseball Coach for 14 years of a nationally recognized program. During this time his teams won five State Championships and finished second twice. He was extremely proud of the 27 former players who went on to play college baseball and the fact that five of his former players played in the professional ranks. After his retirement, The Marist Baseball Field was named "Jerry Queen Field", one of his proudest moments.

Jerry’s love for baseball and his passion for working with kids are epitomized in his personal statement; “ My life was set in 1941, when a man and woman were married on home plate in a little mill town ball park in North Carolina. Three years later, I was born. Baseball was thick in my blood before I had veins. I hope to leave this world the same way.” This statement is a testament to the life of Jerry Queen.

The Atlanta Dugout Club, Braves 400 Club, and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association in 1977, 1978,1981,1983,1984,1985 and 1988, recognized Jerry as “Coach of the Year”. He was also nominated as “National Coach of the Year” on three different occasions (1979,1984,1988). In 2006 he was inducted into the Atlanta Dugout Club Hall of Fame.

There is no way to calculate the manner and magnitude that Jerry Queen made on the lives of the student athletes that he came in contact with him during the course of his career as an educator and coach. Jerry Queen was a man of conviction and passion who not only loved coaching baseball but more importantly, he was a man committed to teaching life lessons to all who came in contact with him.

The game of baseball lost a true ambassador with Jerry’s passing but as one former player stated; “ This is a sad day for Marist School and all of those who had the opportunity to play for Coach Queen. He was a very strong influence in my life due to the manner in which he lived his life. I will always remember that influence and the lessons he taught me.”

He moved to Lafayette in 1995 to be closer to family and his grandchildren, who were the love of his life. Jerry was a Master Gardener and a member since its inception in Lafayette Parish. He owned and operated the Strike Zone for five years, a baseball batting facility in Lafayette, where he instructed young players baseball skills. Jerry enjoyed working with the Cajun Aces Select Team where his grandson, Cameron, was a member of the team. It was gratifying to him to see them all improve thru the years. He enjoyed attending games especially when his students were playing, no matter their ages.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Lafayette Memorial Park/Strike Zone location, 2111 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, LA on Friday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. A Service of Life will begin Friday at 7:00 PM at Lafayette Memorial Park/Strike Zone. Players should wear their favorite baseball uniform and bring their bat to hit one more for Coach.

A service remembering the life and legacy of Jerry Queen will be held at Marist School at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry Queen''s name to Marist School @ 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30319. Gifts may also be made online @ Marist.com/onlinegiving.
"May your opponent always have the last bat"

Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811