Coach Jack Walton Andre, 79, of DeRidder, LA, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

Jack grew up in Baton Rouge and attended Hollywood Elementary, Istrouma Junior High, and graduated from Istrouma High School in 1959 where he played on the football and baseball teams. Jack went on to earn a degree at Southeastern Louisiana University on a football scholarship. After graduating, he began what would become a long and notable career as a high school football coach. Jack’s first coaching job was at Lutcher High School as an assistant coach, but he would later come back to Lutcher as the head coach. From Lutcher, his career took him to Baker High, East Ascension, Baton Rouge High, Ponchatoula, Jeanerette, Patterson, Istrouma, Leesville, and finally, Jackson High. He was honored in 1979 as being named State Coach of the Year. Recognitions and awards for his outstanding coaching were plentiful throughout his career, but his pleasure came from working with the boys and instilling in them a love for the game. Visits and telephone calls from former players were a regular occurrence, and he was proud of all of their accomplishments. Jack spent his retirement years following his favorite football teams and playing golf. When his knees made golf impossible, he still had football! Jack loved the game until the end of his life.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of thirty-two years, Carol Andre of DeRidder, LA; daughter, Deseree Smoot and Richard of Leesville, LA; sons, Brent Jones and Theresa of Leesville, LA, Keith Jones and Sarah of Hornbeck, LA; sister, Brenda Kay Tull and Howard of Baton Rouge, LA; grandchildren, Jackquelyn McAfee and Tony, Courtney Owens and Jimmy, Brandon Smoot and Shelby; great grandchildren, Ean and Emilee McAfee, Braxton Owens, Brylee and Brantley Smoot; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Elton and Emily Barrow Andre; maternal grandparents, John Walton and Emma Hatcher Barrow; paternal grandparents, John Lawrence and Josephine Goudeau Andre; adoring aunts, Ella Bee Andre Wendt, Louise barrow Hastings, and Maggie Lea Barrow Polito.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021 from 12:00 PM until the time of service at 2:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Visitors are invited to wear attire from their favorite football team.

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