December 31, 1934 - January 28, 2023
Jerry Lancaster, 88, of Florence, KY, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023. He was a school teacher, school administrator and coach. Throughout his career he touched the lives of thousands of teachers, students and athletes. A generous soul, Jerry always had the inclination to try to improve those around him through the gift of education. He began his career in 1959 at Erlanger Lloyd High School as a teacher and track coach. In 1960 he moved to Holmes High School where he coached track and also started Holmes' cross country program. Jerry stayed at Holmes until 1971 when he became the school principal at Sixth District Elementary. He later led Latonia Elementary as principal before retiring from the Covington Public School System in 1991. Unable to remove himself completely from educating the next generations, he later accepted a role at Northern Kentucky University where he mentored young teachers. Finally, he ended his working time where he was happiest, as a starter at Kenton County Golf Course. Jerry is a member of the Northern Kentucky Athletic Director's Hall of Fame, the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and the Covington Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame. In his spare time Jerry served as a Sunday school teacher, elder and trustee at First Christian Church in Covington. Additionally, he was a fisherman, a bowler, an extremely avid golfer, and a fan of Cincinnati professional sports. He is survived by his wife of 62 years: Marie Lancaster; his two children Jill Lancaster and Jamie (Lori) Lancaster; his five grandchildren Erica (John) Biery, Erin (Josh) Eversole, Will (Fortune Ramos) Dupps, Caitlin Lancaster and Zachary Lancaster, and his 4 great-grandchildren. Memorials in Jerry's honor may be made to Hospice Care of St. Elizabeth (St. Elizabeth Foundation, Hospice, 1 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017) or to First Christian Church (14 West 5th Street, Covington KY, 41011). Visitation will take place at Connley Brothers Funeral Home, 11 East Southern Avenue, Covington (Latonia), KY 41015 on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. A Memorial Service will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Connley Brothers Funeral Home. Entombment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Erlanger, KY. Online condolences may be expressed on Facebook or at www.connleybrothersfuneralhome.com
Condolences
John Wagner - Feb 9, 2023
I was proudly one of Coach Lancaster's runners from 1963 to 1967, cross country and track. I was honored to be his team's captain my senior year. My career started and ended in the eighth grade when I pulled a muscle in my first 100 yard dash time trial. He sent me home to "rest the leg". Fortunately for me he followed up on me to be sure I returned to run the next year. I wanted to be an athlete, but I was not a great student. Jerry accepted me as a raw product and invested in me with love, support, inspiration, challenge, and great coaching. He helped me set goals and supported me to work hard to achieve them. He understood he needed to have high expectations, knowing no one can rise up to low expectations. He changed my life, and gave me the confidence, and inspiration to achieve academically and athletically. Coach Jerry helped me land a track scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. He was a man of character and faith, and he knew how to give the best of himself to help others achieve. When things got tough he used his great sense of humor to help us gain perspective and to keep going after the goal. I was so fortunate to have Jerry Lancaster as a friend, mentor, coach, and teacher. He helped so many of us to achieve a better life, and he will be missed. I look forward to meeting up with him again some day, I know where he will be.
Carolyn Wolfe Wilham - Feb 9, 2023
Marie, Leo and I are so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed Pelley - Feb 9, 2023
So sorry I cannot attend Coach’s services, you and your family have my deepest sympathy, Coach was a very kind and thoughtful man. I know he will be missed. With deep regards, Ed.
Sheila Mink/Accounting Office Woodson Bend Resort - Feb 9, 2023
So sorry for the loss of your dad. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
doug dorger - Feb 9, 2023
Marie, I am truly sorry that we have lost jerry. He was a good buddy and fun partner in our golf and especially our movie trivia and little contest of naming characters in them. Always looked forward to you and Jerry at my christmas parties. He will be missed. Doug
Dan Biery - Feb 9, 2023
Since the day of my dear Uncle Jerry’s peaceful passing, I have been pulling memories of our times spent together. Fond memories. He was supportive in my times of difficulties during my early years. He introduced me to a wide range of sports including track, gymnastic and of course, fly fishing. I am proud of the way he lived his life and how he touched every soul. Thank you Jerry for showing us the way.
Amy Terrell - Feb 8, 2023
🙏So sorry for your loss Prayers in a very trying time🙏
- Feb 6, 2023
To Coach Lancaster’s Family and Friends: My name is Eric Abercrumbie and I am one of those lives that Coach Lancaster touched! I ran Cross Country for him at Holmes High School from 1964-1966. Even though, I did not want to run Cross Country and hated running it, Coach Lancaster was the reason I kept running because he always shows his athletes that he genuinely cared about them and their future. At the time I transferred from Falmouth High School to Holmes High School I resented it. I was young and black, I was lonely, afraid and felt my confidence in everything leaving. Then I met Coach Lancaster who convinced me that I could be of value doing something that I detested: running miles and miles. But now I am 74 years old and have walked and run many miles and I have to credit Cosch Lancaster for giving me the courage and endurance to run LIFE’S race! Thru his mentoring I adjusted and became one of the main competitive runners on the team and I became one of his favorites because he did something that my family or I never allowed a white man the privilege of doing: He gave me a nickname. My last name is Abercrumbie and he called me Abbey! Words can NEVER express the gratitude that I had for Coach Lancaster. As we say in the BLACK church: He was my rock in a weary land He was my bridge over troubled water He was my peace in the midst of a stor He was my way out of no way He was my lily in the valley He was my bright and shining star He was Coach Jerry Lancaster
Dick Maile - Feb 6, 2023
To Jerry's Family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jerry was a great person. He brought so much energy and goodness to life. I coached basketball at CovCath. I got to know Jerry working at Moonlight Gardens.I know there are many young men he touched in life. He gave for others. That is the best compliment I can give. God Bless Dick Maile
mabel kelley - Feb 3, 2023
To my Dear Friend Marie & Teacher of my son Doug. Our Condolences & PRAYERS, in the Loss of your Husband & Father, JERRY. I can see by the Remarks on Face Book that he was Well liked by Classmates @ Holmes & by a lot of other individuals I don't see where he Found the Time to do ALL the Things he was Involved in. RIP, Jerry. He was Lifted Up on the Wings of the ANGELS. Sincerely, your Friend, Mabel & son Doug Kelley
Hal Haines - Feb 3, 2023
Jerry and our brother-in-law were roommates in college in the late1950's, so I have known of Jerry for many years. I enjoyed meeting both of them for a game of golf when I was in Cincinnati or he was wintering in Florida. He was such a nice man and had so many funny stories to tell. Our sincere condolences to Marie and family.
Mike Aull - Feb 2, 2023
Meet coach while I ran some summer track meets. At the time Holy Cross only had basketball and baseball so I decided to go to Holmes to run track for coach Lancaster. I loved that man. Got to see him during the summers at Kenton County Golf Course during my Wednesday golf league. He loved telling stories about our track days ( I ran track 1968-1972 ) . He will be missed.
Wc and Beth Stewart - Feb 1, 2023
We loved jerry. Our deepest sympathy.
Lenny Ferguson - Feb 1, 2023
I first met Jerry Lancaster in the fall of 1963 when I was a junior and joined the Holmes Cross Country Team. As it turns out, Jerry would become very influential in my development as both a runner and student. A few years later after college, with Jerry's endorsement I started teaching and coaching at Holmes and eventually became the cross-country coach when Charlie Jenkins resigned to take a new job. It was at this point that Jerry became somewhat of a mentor to me as a coach and teacher. He will never know how instrumental he was in the success of our Bulldog teams through the 1980s/90s. An early memory I have from the Fall of 63 as the team members were warming up down on the track before cross country practice, is a somewhat nervous and anxious Jerry informing the team that his wife will be having a baby (Jill) any time and he may need to leave practice abruptly. I was proud to be a member of his team. Jerry was a good man who used his God given gifts throughout life for the betterment of others. As the gospels say, " You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race". "Well done thy good and faithful servant" To Marie, Jill, Jamie and other family members you are in my prayers.
Cyndi (Carr) Baker and Danny Baker - Feb 1, 2023
Jerry touched my life and my entire family. He was kind and always seen the best in everyone. If there was those who needed guidance to a better life, Jerry showed them the way. If someone never knew or believed in Jesus, just look at him and his wife and you would see Him. My family loved this family. A blessing to know him and love him. Rest in peace Jerry. Until we meet again. God bless
JoAnn Skinner - Jan 31, 2023
I am saddened to hear that Jerry has passed. He did so much for the Class of ‘55. His nickname was perfect as he was always here, there and every where! Due to health issues, we hadn’t seen him for several years. Harold passed away December 4, 2021. Marie, may your many great memories bring you comfort and peace. JoAnn Skinner
Julie Maddox - Jan 31, 2023
Dear Marie and family so sorry to hear about Jerry's death. You and your family will be in my prayers!
Dale Haven Cox - Jan 31, 2023
I wish I had known Jerry was still around when I occasionally came back to Kentucky. He was my Cross-Country coach at Holmes from 1961-64.The only way I got a Cross-Country letter was because he wouldn't let the notorius Mike Wolf run in a Lloyd track meet. Instead, he let a group of us track ne'er-do-wells in 1962 try to get one. He promised anyone who came across the line in one of the top 5 spots would get a letter. I was #5;otherwise, I would have had none. But it was because of him I was able to get the only sports letter I obtained at Holmes. I'll always remember him for that.
Dale Haven Cox - Jan 31, 2023
I wish I had known Jerry was still around when I occasionally came back to Kentucky. He was my Cross-Country coach at Holmes from 1961-64.The only way I got a Cross-Country letter was because he wouldn't let the notorius Mike Wolf run in a Lloyd track meet. Instead, he let a group of us track ne'er-do-wells in 1962 try to get one. He promised anyone who came across the line in one of the top 5 spots would get a letter. I was #5;otherwise, I would have had none. But it was because of him I was able to get the only sports letter I obtained at Holmes. I'll always remember him for that.
Ben Baker - Jan 31, 2023
I knew Jerry as an educator, a neighbor, a fishing buddy, and a friend. I always thought it was cool I got to call my principal by his first name. He always made us laugh and was such a kind soul. Thanks Rabbit!
Terri Palmer Botkin - Jan 31, 2023
Deepest condolences, Mrs Lancaster. Known you all for long time. In my prayers
Bob Sanders - Jan 31, 2023
I am saddened to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was a wonderful, inspiring person and the best athletic coach I ever experienced as a student at Holmes High School. He became my lifelong friend. My last time to see Jerry was at the 2022 Holmes High School Athletic Hall of Distinction induction dinner. He greeted me, as he did almost everyone else, with a warm hug and a rush of memories of things that happened nearly sixty years ago. I loved the man and will hope to see him again someday. Our deepest condolences and sympathies to Jerry’s family and to everyone else who loved him.
Bob Deal - Jan 31, 2023
Marie and family, I was saddened to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was a unique individual who possessed the wonderful knack of being able to put a smile on the face of anyone he met. Of the many people I have met, his voice even now still hangs around in my head. It is my prayer that you and the family are , as I am now, sustained by the wonderful memories we have of Jerry and can celebrate his life in this time of grief. May God’s blessings fall upon you and your family as they did on Jerry and give you strength now.
Debbie Kiskaden - Jan 31, 2023
Mrs Lancaster, I am so sorry for the loss of yours wonderful husband. He and you were such a gift to do many people including me and my brothers and sisters. You are thought of fondly. Our prayers are with you and yours
Jon bennett - Jan 31, 2023
So sorry to hear. My father loved Jerry. He coached "Rabbit" at Holmes. They went fishing together. Jerry was my Health teacher and track coach. I talked to him several times at the golf course. He was a super guy.
Patricia mulcahy - Jan 31, 2023
So sorry for your loss,Marie and family you are in my prayers
Mary Alice Gash - Jan 30, 2023
Marie and family I am so sorry for your loss. As you know he was my principal at Latonia. He had a great sense of humor. That made for fun times. You could never get in the last word he always had a come back. Marie I will be thinking about you.
George Johns - Jan 30, 2023
Marie and Family. Please accept my condolences on the loss of Jerry. He had a contagious personality which was always highlighted by compassion, love and humor. He helped me through some rough times in my early education career. He was truly a wonderful human being who was respected by so many. May the memories help sustain you during this difficult. May the good Lord provide you with the emotional strength and comfort during this time of bereavement.
Lou and Donna Dahmann - Jan 30, 2023
We were saddened to hear of of our dear friend’s passing. Jerry was a special person, known for his humor, zest for life, generosity, and compassion. The world is a better place because he walked among us. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marie and family, along with Jerry’s many friends, during this difficult time. In tribute, may we all offer a special prayer for Jerry, and perform one extra act of kindness today in his honor. Our deepest sympathy,
Margaret Houston Frisch - Jan 30, 2023
Mrs. Lancaster, Jill Lancaster and the rest of the family. I am so sorry for your lost. I had the pleasure of having Mr. Lancaster as a principal for my elementary school years. He was a very nice person. He will be surely missed.