Jerry Stoots

He is survived by his wife, Jan Garris Stoots of 38 years, daughter Lindsay Ball (Aaron), son Brandon Stoots (Marissa), sister Patty Lauzon (Pete), grandchildren James and Victoria Ball and Baby Boy Stoots, four nieces Autumn Lauzon (John), Emerald Lord (Burke), Kacy Fleming (Kent), and Mindi Stoots, and one great niece, Bristol Lord.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Florence “June” Stoots, father George “Kenneth” Stoots, and younger brother Lanny Stoots of Bristol Virginia.

As a member of Summerville Baptist Church for over 30 years, his faith was forefront in his life. While he loved coaching young athletes, his mission was to build integrity, a strong moral character, and a sense of sportsmanship, while guiding them along a Christian path. Jerry loved his Los Angeles Dodgers and his Washington Redskins. He loved country music and Jimmy Buffett and most of his driver's ed students learned to drive while listening to those songs (Lindsay included). When he wasn't on the baseball field, you could find him out on the boat fishing with his son or his long-time friend, Barry Watkins, attending his grandkid's sporting events, or taking trips across the country to watch as many Dodgers' games as possible. He loved his family deeply and treasured the many friends he made on and off the baseball field.

Jerry graduated from John S. Battle High School in Bristol, VA where he played baseball, football, and basketball, led the debate team, and served as Student Government President. Jerry went on to graduate from Appalachian State University, where he was a four-year starter and pitched in the NAIA College World Series. After coaching for a year in Tennessee, Jerry moved to Charleston in 1970 and began his over 50-year coaching career in the Lowcountry.

To those who knew him well, Jerry was a very humble man. He gave all the honor and glory to God for the following accomplishments. He never wanted to be recognized or be the focus of attention, making it always about his team and his excellent assistant coaches over the years. Stoots loved working with his players and watching them develop into successful athletes. It was not about how many games he could win, but how many lives he could positively impact. Thus leading him to coach until age 73.

During his 30 year tenure at R. B. Stall High School, he led the Varsity Baseball team to 15 region titles and one state championship. While at Stall, he taught both P.E. and driver’s ed, served as athletic director, coached both Junior Varsity and Varsity Football, and led the Warriors to the state championship game in 1991. If he wasn't on the field coaching, he was in the stands cheering for Lindsay at her soccer games and cheerleading competitions.

After retiring in 2000, Jerry couldn’t stay away from coaching and began serving as the Varsity Baseball and Football Coach as well as Athletic Director at Northwood Academy in 2002. During his years at Northwood Academy, he led the baseball team to 8 region titles, while playing in the state championship 5 times and the state semi-finals 8 times. He also led the Varsity football team to the SCISA state playoff 3 times, with a state championship win in 2008. Some of his most memorable times in coaching were the 7 years he was able to coach his son in baseball and football as well as his last 5 years coaching along side his son.

After a short-lived second retirement, Jerry coached for one year at St. John's Christian Academy, where he led the team to a regional championship and playoff appearance. In 2017, Jerry was asked to start the baseball program at Oceanside Collegiate Academy, where he built the baseball program for the next 5 years.

Stoots is the all-time winningest high school baseball coach in South Carolina history, with more than 925 career wins at four Lowcountry-area schools over 48 seasons. Stoots was inducted into the S.C. Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also inducted into the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017 and into the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame the following year.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023 from 5-7:30 p.m., and the funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. both at Summerville Baptist Church. A private graveside service will be held immediately after for family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the baseball programs of R.B. Stall High School, Northwood Academy, St. John's Christian Academy, or Oceanside Collegiate Academy or his church, Summerville Baptist Church. Visit our guestbook at dignitymemorial.com.

A visitation will be held at Summerville Baptist Church on Monday, January 30, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. A Celebration Of Life Service will be held at Summerville Baptist will take place on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carolinamemorial.com for the Stoots family.