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Everly Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Falls Church

6161 Leesburg Pike

Falls Church, Virginia

MELVIN LABAT Obituary

MELVIN L. LABAT
On January 25, 2017, Melvin L. Labat passed away suddenly. He is survived by his loving wife Terry Labat and children; Marion Landazuri, Michael Labat and Joshua Labat as well as five grandchildren.Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service and reception, Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Everly Community Funeral Care, 6161 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to www.some.org or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for MELVIN LABAT

24 Entries

Keith Mayfield

July 20, 2025

I am sorry to hear of Mels passing. He was my football coach at Williamsburg Jr High. He had such a great and encouraging spirit yet required decipline and a quality of effort. I think of him often. I am 71 now and my kids know of him. I broke my nose during my first day of football practice and what I remember was Coach Labatt yelling at me saying that I was getting blood everywhere. My father had just gotten there and the two of them were amused that I did not want to stop practicing. He had style and humor yet was a leader. Sorry for your loss.

Mimi Sullivan

January 26, 2019

We continue to miss Coach. And now, we have an additional thank you as we believe it was his angelic intervention for Megans safety at Mardi Gras two years ago - not long after his passing. We love you Coach! The Sullivan family

Merri Hankins

February 12, 2017

Coach Labat was very special to our family. Both my sons have taken lessons at the Y Tennis for years. Coach later hired them to teach younger kids, and became their first boss. He taught them so much beyond tennis. What a great man! He showed kids how to play and how to work. Thank you for sharing him. We will miss him, and will always remember him fondly.

Jacky Cheong

February 6, 2017

Mel was always generous to his community.

He shared many words of wisdom to his tennis "kids" and showed what it means to be a great Coach and strong man.

Long before he was named Coach of the Year at the US Open, he was a Hero to many at Yorktown HS, around Arlington/Washington DC and to each of the lives he touched.

Thank you for your life of service to others, and your gift of tennis to so many who would otherwise not have experienced the joys of sport. RIP Mel - you will be missed but never forgotten.

Steve Spinks

February 6, 2017

With deepest sympathy. Steve and Anni Spinks

William and Melak Spates

February 5, 2017

Thank you coach for taking the time to show my son a new love in his life,tennis.

February 4, 2017

The Smith family is so sad to learn of Coach Mel's passing. He was such a kind and caring person and he will be greatly missed.

Ulysses "Goodie" Goodwin III and the Goodwin Family

February 4, 2017

It was an honor to play for and assist in coaching with Coach Labat. My Dad and him developed a great bond and relationship in my middle school days that lasted a lifetime. Sean, Angie and I are forever grateful for his life lessons on and off the basketball and tennis courts. Love You Coach! RIP and say hello to my Dad because I'm sure he can't wait to see you again!

Sean Goodwin

February 4, 2017

To a Loving Husband, Father, Coach and Friend. You helped shape me in to the man I am today. Coach, you always inspired me to strive for greatness in sports and most importantly of all in the game of life. Now it is time for you to rest as all of us can truly say job well done!

To the family, we will always keep you in our prayers and blessings. God bless you and your family as go through this difficult time.

From Sean, Maya, Malina and Asha Goodwin

Mimi Sullivan

February 4, 2017

There are no words to fully capture how much we'll miss Coach, after 20 years he has been a supportive constant in our lives.... from summer camps beginning in Kindergarten, working with me and the St. Ann team and as CYO Tennis Commissioner, coaching Megan to the WCAC championship win senior year and kindly employing John and Megan over the years. We will miss your positive encouragement. The Washington area tennis community has lost our pillar and we've lost a dear friend. Hugs to Terry, Josh and your family. Fondly, Mimi, Chris, John and Megan Sullivan

Andrea Myslicki

February 4, 2017

Coach Labat was an amazing teacher and true gentleman. He gave my nerdy son a true love of the game. My condolences to his family. He will be missed!

Sherlick Family

February 3, 2017

Coach Mel was always so kind and so warm to the afterschool tennis kids. He inspired a love of tennis in our son.

Thinking of you, Coach, and your family. We miss you already.

Patrice English

February 3, 2017

Condolences to Mrs. Labat and the entire family. Mel was a true gem. He coached my son in tennis and I'll never forget meeting him and we immediately recognized each other as both being from New Orleans. He was a wonderful human being and our lives are that much more rich for knowing him.

Eric Beinhart

February 3, 2017

I took lessons from Coach Labat at the Y when I was a sophomore at Yorktown High School. That year, 1981, Coach Labat led the Yorktown High School tennis team to the Virginia state tennis championship. He was a sincerely kind and caring man and I am blessed to have known him. May you rest in peace, Coach. Godspeed.

Mike Good

February 2, 2017

Thanks for all you did and for all you meant to the students of Williamsburg Jr. High as well as the tennis community in Arlington, VA.

Dan Carroll

February 2, 2017

So sorry to hear. He was a great man. Such a caring coach and great colleague when I taught at wms.

Mary Pat Barry

February 2, 2017

I had the honor and privilege of taking tennis lessons one hot humid summer at the tennis courts at Williamsburg Jr. High. The group lessons were at nigh noon and the temps climbed into the high 90s. As a teenager in Arlington County he was the only one who taught us the same way he taught the men. I worked so, so hard and had a killer serve that few women could ever return. He worked us hard and all the skills took. But even more than that, he was the best teacher I ever had in sports. He never yelled, he pointed out what was wrong and how to fix it. His patience and gentle but effective manner and personality were unmatched by anyone I have met since. That was a huge highlight for me and a great summer. Good bless you and If I still lived in No. Va. I would be there to tell you this in person.

Don and Angel Bauman

February 2, 2017

In loving memory to a truly grand gentleman.

Bill

February 2, 2017

RIP Coach! The Big Boat sailed and Coach Labat was on it. He taught me the Big Boy serve and so much about life. I can just see he hitting balls up in Heaven with Kevin "who he" Manning.

Coach Labat and Team Gabby

Eric Samuel

February 2, 2017

I want to offer my most sincerest condolences to Ms. Terry and Josh Labat. Coach was one of my mentors and biggest supporters during my professional tennis career. I loved working for him during the summers. He always gave me court time to practice for my pro matches during the late 80's through the 90's. He continued to support me when I began my tennis business and when I started to work with the Washington Kastles. Coach is one of the most important and influential mentors not just to me but to countless others. We will never be able to repay his kindness but I as many will continue to support his mission to bring tennis to the youth of Arlington and the rest of the DMV.

I love you and will miss our chats Coach. I promise to finish what we started and pass it on to the next generation of coaches.

Thank you Lord for taking one of the best coaches ever and allowing him to play on your court. Game, Set, Match - winner Coach Mel Labat. See you at the next tournament Coach - we'll love you always.

Dee Avery-Rietveld

February 1, 2017

I first met Mel when I worked at Arlington Rec, Lubber Run. He was a such nice man . God bless his soul and God bless all who are grieving. Amen.

Eddie Bethancourt

February 1, 2017

Rest In Peace Coach.

Liz Rebh

February 1, 2017

You did so much for youth tennis in Arlington. Thanks for always being so nice to my children and me. Will miss seeing you at the Y...won't be the same. Rest in peace, Mel...

January 31, 2017

Gonna miss you Mel. CB
My sympathy to Josh and your family

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