Richard E. “Richie” “Coach” “Pops” Ory

Richard E. “Coach” Ory passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family on January 20, 2021 at 7:07 am at the age of 71. He was the only child of “Tee” and Ella Ory. He was born on May 31, 1949 in Baton Rouge and lived most of his life in Baker, Louisiana. He graduated from Baker High School and McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He did his post graduate work in Education at Southern University in Baton Rouge and Loyola University in New Orleans. Coach Ory taught and coached at Assumption High School, Ponchatoula High School, Baker High School, Redemptorist High School, Crestworth Elementary, and The Runnels School. After retiring from the school system, Coach began a new career in golf. He became the golf pro at Historic City Park Golf Course and J.S. Clark Golf Course in Baton Rouge. He also served on the board of the BREC foundation. In addition to golf and education, he was also a lifelong member of the Methodist church and spent many years as a Sunday school teacher. He also served as chairman of the education department at Baker First Methodist Church. In his later years, he was very active with senior citizens of the parish, even having the honor to serve as chairman of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging. Coach was most happy when he could help someone else; in doing so, he served as past president of the Inter-Civic Council of Baton Rouge and served as chairman of the Golden Deeds Award Banquet in 2011. When Coach was not teaching, coaching, or helping others he enjoyed many vacations with his wife, Beverly, and their children. He is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Beverly Henderson Ory; children, Tiffany Breshears and husband Dan, Angie McKernan and husband Scott, Richard Benjamin Ory, and Kate Ory; beloved grandchildren, Karlee McKernan, Caleb McKernan, Phoebe Breshears, Kailynn Gonzales, Brandon Gonzales, Isabella Ory, and Tyler Ory; and special friend from Ithaca, New York, Mikey Thaller.
Coach was always proud of his first cousins; Becky Dupuy, Cholly Beasley, Dr. “Henny” Ory, and Dr. John Ory. He was preceded in death by parents, “Tee” and Ella Ory, and daughter-in-law, Aubrie Ory. In his passing, Coach would like to thank the many students, athletes, golfers, and individuals that enriched his life and made his years so meaningful. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Heart of Hospice team and to his cardiologist and friend, Dr. Joseph Cefalu.