Hurshel "Coach" Meares, 96, passed away on July 16, 2021. He was born in Jacksonville, FL on Oct. 1, 1924 to Hurshel Meares and May Purcell Meares. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Rita Joan Hay Meares. He is survived by one brother, Larry Meares; four daughters, Cindy Littlefield (Craig), Cheryl Kees (Jim), Jan Dardenne (Tommy-deceased), Joan McMorris (Terry), nine grandchildren; Robby Field, Lalie Edgecombe, Blayne Coupel, Ian Smith, Jennifer McKinney-Gillord, Leah Mason, Kali Verzone, Daniel Kees, Rachael Flores, 16 great-grands, and 3 great-great grands. He graduated from Istrouma High and Southeastern LA Univ playing football for both. He received his Masters from LSU. He was a Marine in WWII in the Philippines and China. He taught in EBR schools at Brookstown, Istrouma High, Baker High, Glenoaks High, and Prescott for 27 years. He worked for Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, Local 198 during summers and holidays and served 3 terms as their financial secretary. He also refereed football and basketball during both careers until he was 71, and was inducted into the LA Assn of Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003. He worked for Triad Electric until he was 90 as a shop hand. He was an inventor, known for the Sacrowedgy (a back aid) and was a member of Oakcrest Baptist Church. He loved music, dancing, telling jokes as well as his amazing life stories. He took up and enjoyed snow skiing late in life, and never stopped inventing to fulfill his passion and the legacy he leaves for helping others. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 20 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Visitation will resume on Wednesday from 2:00 until a funeral service at 4:00 pm. Interment will be at Greenoaks Memorial Park at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, Shriner's Children Hospital.
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