Coach Paul Leroy

Raymond Paul (Coach) Leroy, 90, passed away at home on Saturday, August 23, 2025 after a brief illness.

Coach is predeceased by his parents and 12 siblings and is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Louise, of 69 years; daughter, Paula (Al) Fernandez; son Ray (Ines) Leroy; and daughter, Katherine (Heath) Johnson. He is also survived by grandchildren, Carter (Nikki) Ridgeway, Raechel (Cole) Haley, Kate Desormeaux, Jodi (John) Sievers, Wes Johnson; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Coach was born in Camp Hill, Alabama and grew up in Eufaula, Alabama, graduating from Eufaula High School in 1953. He attended Marion Military Institute and Troy State College to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. While attending Troy, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou, and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama. He served in the National Guard and US Army Reserves for over 20 years and retired as a Major.

He began his coaching career in Hayneville, Alabama in 1957 and came to Thomson in 1962. In 1967, he, along with a great coaching staff, led the Bulldogs to a first ever State Championship. He then moved on to Waycross High School from 1968-1970, then to Dorman High School from 1970-1974 in Spartanburg, S.C. From 1974-1980 he coached at Cairo High School where he had the privilege of coaching his son, Ray. In 1980, he left coaching and went into the door manufacturing business. In 2000, he returned to Thomson and later retired. He worked with Ray Guy Kicking Camps until 2018, and because of his passion for the kicking game he volunteered to work with kickers at Thomson High School for many years. He loved working with these players and passed on a wealth of information and techniques from his many years of experience.

Coach was involved in many aspects of church life, including serving as a deacon at Thomson First Baptist, and especially loved watching the “Thundering Herd” come down for the children’s sermon. He loved yard work, feeding the birds, growing tomatoes and cutting flowers from the yard to bring in to Mary Lou.

Coach loved his family, friends, and church and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

A Celebration of Lfe Service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Thomson First Baptist Church, with Dr. David Lambert officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Atrium of the church, prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to First Baptist Vision Fund.

You may sign a guest book online at www.curtisfuneralhome.com

Curtis Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.