🐊 💔 🐊 -- @CSHSGators

There was never a day without him making a joke. It was fun to be around him. He loved his kids, he loved his profession – that was him. He wanted to do what was right for the kids. It was never about Richard Lary.
– Mitch Fant, CSHS Assistant Football Coach

He's the only man I've heard call God "Coach" before. If you're that close to God, I guess you can call him Coach. He made an impact like very few do in this world.
– Mike Stowell, Calvary Baptist Church

He was a giant of a man. He endeared himself to everyone on this campus. All of his talk was about how he could make his students better – through joking ways, through serious ways, he did just that. This man was highly effective.
– Robert Silvie, CSHS Assistant Principal

He's the reason I'm getting to play at the next level, I cannot believe that he won't be here to share that experience with me. Speechless.
– Chad Usry, CSHS Class of 2015

Every coach wants to be a winner. They always want to look up at the scoreboard at the end of the game and see their team have more points than their opponent. But it's not nearly as important as the score of your life.
– Joann Lary, mother

During his nearly 27 year career in our district, Coach Lary epitomized what it is to eat, sleep and breathe Caddo. He adored and mentored his athletes and taught them the life skills they needed to be successful, courageous individuals. We will miss his tenacious, go-get-‘em attitude and unparalleled humor. Today, our district lost one of the greats.
– Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Superintendent, Caddo Parish Public Schools

He would make you a better man. He was a role model. Coming together as a school - that just lets you know he's involved in everything. He's not just a football coach – he was everyone's coach, even if you don't play a sport. I'll always remember his work ethic. He would never give up no matter how hard anything got. That's something I want to carry on through my life.
– Richard Ingram, CSHS Class of 2015

He gave me a chance; saw something in me. That's what he did for all of us. He gave us a chance. I changed my major (at Louisiana Tech) to education because I wanted to be just like Coach Lary. I would trade anything in this world to have four more years on this field with Coach Lary. I'll never forget one thing he told me: 'The only thing worth fighting for is your family.'
– Jacob Angevine, CSHS Class of 2014

Richard Lary epitomized what coaching is about. Even when he faced tough odds talent-wise, he firmly believed his team was going to win every Friday night. He coached toughness, he inspired never-quit attitudes in his kids and he was one of the funniest guys to be around and to talk football with in the business.
– Tim Fletcher, Local Sports Radio Personality

Coach Lary was the first person in my life to make me feel like I was valuable … that I was special, important. He's why I came to love the game of softball the way I did. He had a way of holding you accountable, but also let you enjoy the game and become better at it.
– Keri Grozinger, Byrd HS Softball Coach

Richard had been a coach all his life, but he was learning to be a dad to Ally and Camryn. He recently came up with 'Ally's list' of things to accomplish and posted it on her bathroom mirror.
– Mark Lambert, Byrd HS Softball Coach

He was a loving husband, a loving father, he was a great teacher and coach and a great friend. He touched lives at many schools; Woodlawn, Huntington, Byrd, Shreve, you can't go to a corner in this town in Shreveport without meeting somebody that knows Coach Lary. That played for him, that was coached by him, that was taught by him because he was that type of man.
– Toby Todd, Airline HS Baseball Coach

He changed my life forever. The man impacted my life the day I stepped onto the field as a chubby, un-athletic kid. There were days when I didn't believe I was capable of completing the task and he didn't quit on me. He continued to push me because he believed in me. He not only taught me about the game, but how to love it even when it seems unlovable.
– Kristen Cole, Loyola Softball Coach

Just stunning. Richard was always serious about the game, whether it was football or softball, but he had a lot of fun with his kids and taught them a lot more.
– Wade Strother, Southwood Softball Coach

Coach Lary was one of the "good ones." I pray the legacy that he left provides guidance and comfort through the coming months and years.
– Kristy Parker

I will miss you forever coach. I have talked about you for the past 22 years to my family and children because you made me the fighter that I am.
– Christie Walton

Coach Lary was a delight to be around. He mentored and taught some great young men and women in this area. I am forever thankful to have been a player for Coach Lary.
– Travis Clark

I met Coach Lary my freshman year at Huntington, when I tried out for the softball team. During my time at Huntington, we became close. He was such an awesome mentor and great person all around. He saw something in me that I couldn't see in myself, and he pushed me to be the best I could. He was hard on me, and I needed that. He was like another dad. When he would give me rides home after practice or games, I remember him being goofy and always giving me these pep talks the whole way home. And every time I saw him after high school, he always made sure to say hi and ask how life was going. I've talked about him often in past years, and I use what he taught me about the game to teach my daughter. He made a huge impact on me in my teenage years, and I will never forget it.
– Amber Mahony

I treasured Coach Lary's support for academics while teaching at C. E. Byrd High School. I highly respected his tenacity and energy in his endeavors.
– Angela Watkins Kimbrough

I had the privilege of having Coach Lary as a teacher at Byrd. I was a pretty shy student, and he saw my potential. He had an amazing gift of seeing everyone's light when they didn't see it themselves. I'll never forget that!

Thank you for all the life lessons and memories Coach Lary!!! You were way more than a softball coach to me!!! Gonna miss running into you and your family and catching up.
– Jamie Basco-Morrison

He was more than my coach. He is the reason I attended college to play softball. Outside of coaching he took me to apply for my first job. If you did not get a chance to meet him you missed a treat. The city has truly lost an angel.
– Tamika Pouncy

Touched many lives in this city and we thank you for teaching young men and women about life. He taught me what the Xs and Os meant and life was about way more than football.
– Ran Martin, Huntington Class of 2004

Prayers for Richard Lary and family. Really made you want to go out there and get it. No matter the sport. Great coach, better man.
– Bryant Bowen(@BBowen29), CSHS Class of 2015

Broadcasting @CSHSGators fball was fun in large part because of Richard Lary. He was so nice to me and so gracious w/his time.  Win or lose, Richard Lary answered all questions, gave respect to opponents. It was a pleasure to call his games.
– Tony Taglavore (@radiotvman)

We lost an amazing coach and an even better man. Don't take any days for granted. Rest in peace Coach Lary #ForeverCaptainShreve
– Peyton Attaway (@pyawatta16)

Coach Lary was the softball coach at my rival school when I was in high school. We fell short to his well coached team my senior year, his team earned a bid to state and ours did not as a result. The next day when I went to my first period class there was a letter waiting for me. It was from Coach Lary, he wrote to tell me how tough I had played in the game and he recognized the heart I had given each time our teams met. Some may see that as a small act, but has always left an impact on me. Especially now as an adult who is in the teaching and coaching profession, that man took the time to recognize effort not only for his own girls, but others, even if they went to rival schools! The world lost a great man today, but from what little I know of him, his coaching legacy will live on in his players lives. My deepest condolences to his family.
– Regina Salvatore Digilormo (@CoachRSalvatore)

RIP Coach Lary. Devistating news. One of my favorite people I've met in Shreveport. Praying for your family and friends, coach.
– Kamady Rudd (@KamadyNBC6)

Gator Cross Country in mourning for Coach Lary our thoughts and prayers with his family - always supportive and encouraging RIP
– Gator XC (@gator_xc)

Devastated by the loss of Coach Richard Lary. Glad I had the chance to know him. Great man, great coach for Shreve. R.I.P.
– Chris Demirdjian (@CupcakeKWKH)

Prayers for Richard Lary's family and the Captain Shreve community. God bless with the comfort that can only come from Him.
– Ronnie Coker (@airlineathletic)

People like Richard Lary made the time I spent at @shrevesports enjoyable. So hard to see him go. #RIPCoachLary
– Jason Pugh (@JasonSPugh)

It hurts my heart to lose such a great guy in our profession like Coach Richard Lary! May God continue to bless his family
– Jerwin Wilson (@Coach_JW3)

The Airline Viking family sends our deepest regrets to Coach Lary's family, all Captain Shreve Gators, and the Caddo Parish School System.
– JaRow (@Rowland36716380)

The PHS Football program would like 2 offer our condolences 2 Coach Richard Larry's family during this tough time . He will truly be missed
– Parkway Football (@FootballParkway)

The DeSoto Schools family extends condolences to the family/friends of Captain Shreve Coach Richard Lary. May his legacy live thru others. 🙏 
– Cade Brumley (@cadebrumley)

RIP Capt Shreve football coach Richard Lary. I got to interview him after Shreve's playoff loss to Thibodaux last year. He was a nice man.
– Chris Singleton (@courierchris)

Coach Lary taught me so much. Privileged to play for him. Heaven gained a great role model for all young athletes today. #softball #RIPCoach
– Tara Brando Sullivan (@TaraBrando)

Coach Richard Lary just loved to be around the kids and coaching them. I always looked forward to visiting with him Prayers to his family
– Lee Hiller (@LeeGataHillah)

"Brandon idk what's wrong with you. You never practice like this. You're better than this" never forget Coach Lary telling me this!
– b.smith (@Bran2_)

I came in as a freshman 5'9" and 140 lbs. I was undersized and 4 years later I was still undersized. But Coach Lary gave me a chance to start at a 5A school like no one else would. Not only was he a great coach to me, he was an even better man and father figure. I would come in during my lunch period to joke around with him, talk football strategy, and help him with the team's laundry. I used to mow lawns with him and he gave me rides home when I needed it. I appreciate the many hours he dedicated to the team when he could've been with his family. He inspired the team like no other with his quirky but hilarious stories. I would gladly trade anything right now to listen to him ramble and talk at the end of practice. I've never lost someone so close to me. Thank you Coach Lary for the best 4 years of my life. #RIPCoachLary One last thing: spell his name right! One R y'all. He'd have y'all do up-downs for misspelling it.
– David Wu (@dwu018), CSHS Class of 2015

My daughter attended Coach Lary's Summer camp at Huntington HS while playing some serious Softball at Youree Drive Middle. He was the BEST!
– Tim Brando (@TimBrando)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends, and athletes at Shreve. Coach Lary was a great man and amazing coach. He will be missed
– Parkway Softball (@PHSsoftballP4D)

Shocked & saddened to see Richard Lary passed away. Was one of my favorites-always loved 2 check in on the Gators. Thoughts & Prayers.
– Leslie Spoon WWL-TV (@LeslieSpoonWWL)

Even though I am an assistant principal now, I get a "Hey Coach!" At least once a week. I am ok with that. Once a coach, always a coach. Coaches have more influence on young people than anyone. That is why I like ALL coaches. But there a few that you get to know through the profession that you admire more than others because of their commitment and friendships that are built when you cross over the hash marks of a field, or visits at clinics, or 7 on 7 Tournaments, or playing cards. Coach Lary was a friend of mine. My heart hurts for his family, Captain Shreve HS, friends, and the local coaching community. RIP coach
– Jerry Byrd (@coachjerrybyrd)

We are so sorry to hear of Coach Lary's passing. Please express our condolences to the Captain Shreve family. Richard had a strong reputation for commitment to his students. I know he will be missed greatly.
– Les Miles. LSU Head Football Coach

It just makes me so proud to know that he was my dad. I'm so proud to see that that's the way he touched people and this is the way people thought about him.
– Ally Lary. daughter

"What really matters is the score board of life" - #RIPCoachLary