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Llewellyn Attsett Luce

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Woodrow Wilson High School

Llewellyn Luce Obituary

Luce, Llewellyn Attsett Age 81 On Sunday, March 22, 2020, Llewellyn Attsett Luce, loving husband to Mary Lou (Gardner) Luce and father of three children, died at the age of 81. Lew was born on April 3, 1938 in Washington D.C. to Llewellyn and Mayola Luce. He had one brother, John Byrd Luce, RIP 1/5/20. Lew was raised in Washington D.C. and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1956. In 1959, he married Mary Lou Gardner and they raised three children, Carol, Patrick and Mary Elizabeth. Lew was proclaimed one of the greatest athletes ever to come out of the Washington D.C. area. He was a 3 time All Metropolitan in Basketball as well as All Metropolitan in Football and Baseball. He would later go on to play with the Washington Redskins and also briefly in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He was also a renowned Basketball Official at the High School and Collegiate levels. When his playing days were over, Lew became a teacher and coach for over 30 years where he touched the lives of many students and young athletes. His football coaching career began with Florida State with then assistant Bobby Bowden. He would go on to coach basketball, baseball and football at many levels. He is also known for developing Maplewood Boys club in its infancy to a powerhouse in the D.C. area. Lew and Mary Lou would later retire to Apollo Beach, Florida where they both became involved in numerous charitable and community organizations. In Apollo Beach, Lew was instantly recognized by his Green Truck, Baseball Hat and was simply referred to as "Coach". He is survived by his beautiful wife of 61 years, Mary Lou, his 3 children, 6 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Instead of sending flowers, my dad would have wanted you to donate to your favorite charity or just perform a simple act of kindness. Please sign the Guestbook at www.legacy.com/washingtontimes

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

Published by Washington Times on Mar. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Llewellyn Luce

20 Entries

Matthew Moore

March 22, 2025

Mr. Luce was a great teacher, and I'm glad I got to be one of his students and to get to know him a bit.

Five years on, I still remember and pay respects, in thought ; I am sure others do that as well.

Matthew Moore

March 22, 2024

It is hard to believe that it has been four years. I hope the family has been doing okay. I am sure Mr.Luce is constantly being missed and thought of. He was a good teacher and a good friend.

Neil Porter

September 15, 2023

I was lucky to take a mechanical drawing class with Coach Luce back in the day at Sherwood. Never a dull moment, and he taught kids a lot more than the curriculum. Sending a runner out for crab soup, etc from the Sandy Spring restaurant once a week for lunch was a favorite memory- God Speed Mr. Luce!!

Matthew Moore

June 17, 2023

Mr. Luce was a very supportive teacher, at Sherwood High School. He personally worked to create letters of recommendation for me to use with an architectural job application, in my senior year. He personally visited classrooms with me, to help arrange for my changing into those courses, in my junior year. He even took responsibility for breaking some glass in a school display case, when I in fact had broken it. So many examples of helpful actions could be brought to mind. While it is so saddening to hear of his recent passing, it certainly appears that he led a full life, with doing what he liked and what he wanted to do and what he found interesting : sports playing, coaching, teaching. I am especially glad that he had the opportunity to play with the Redskins. I am sure he will be greatly missed by others.

Matthew Moore

June 14, 2023

Mr. Luce was my teacher in high school ; I was in his various classes during all four years. He was a reliable and helpful instructor to have, providing guidance and support. I am just now, in June 2023, hearing of his passing. I relay my belated condolences to his family at this time.

Ed Ross

February 8, 2023

I loved Lew Luce. He was my 9th grade industrial arts teacher and he was a huge support to me when I played high school sports. I still have his note, congratulating me for being selected All Met in football. He also hired me to help him run a construction site food trailer one summer. Man, was that a learning experience! Loved him.

Sophie Harrison

May 15, 2020

Dear Mary Lou and family, I was so sorry to learn of Lews passing. I am (the late) Billy Harrisons wife, Sophie. I have so many great memories of Lew and Billy together, playing ball and having so many laughs together. He was one of a kind and will be missed. With great sympathy.

Sam Andelman

May 14, 2020

I will never foget him as Fred in Seven Little Girls. He was a real trooper and will be missed.

Mark Milner

May 14, 2020

Lew, as we always referred to him when talking about him in school was a great influence on many students at Sherwood. His dynamic personality and gravelly voice have been a fond memory for many years.

Kevin White

May 14, 2020

Mr. Luce was my mechanical drawing teacher at Sherwood High School. He had a great personality and I always looked forward to his class. His way of teaching helped me excel in drafting while also keeping a smile on my face. He will be missed!

Lee Calvin

April 18, 2020

Coach and Mary Lou can't be thanked enough for all they did for the community. He never asked for anything in return but a smile and good wishes. He will be missed by many!

THer

April 13, 2020

Our family sends deepest sympathies to the Luce Family. We knew Coach Luce for a few years at Brandon High School where my Brothers Don and David McNish we're coached and played under his leadership. Additionally my husband Michael Dawson was tutored in place kicking by Coach Luce.
The main attributes we recall of Coach Luce was his big personality and fun loving attitude towards life and football. Although our contact with him was very short in time his life greatly influenced us over the years. His name came up frequently in family get togethers. Especially the time my father, Donald McNish and brother Don helped his family move back to the D.C. area in 1966.

The Michael Dawson and McNish Family

Kim Willis

April 10, 2020

Coach will always have a special place in the heart of East Bay High School. For many years, he helped the athletic teams, the agriculture department and the FFA chapter. He had such an amazing presence and made a positive impact on everyone he met. We were always happy to see him pull up in his little green truck or to see him out and about in Apollo Beach.

May all of his family and friends find comfort in the fact that he left this world a better place and he will be missed by all.

We miss you Coach! Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

John Fahrner

April 9, 2020

lewy was one of the great characters in the delmarva! ive coached in moco for 42 years.everybody tells lewy luce stories.his reffing stories are hall of fame! "you dont know who your messing with! im lewy luce" he was my ad at wootton hs he reffed my basketball games when i coached and he was my friend .i love lewy luce. i will tell his stories ttil the day i see him again in heaven.when i get there im sure he will have some new ones to tell!!! see you soon lew

April 5, 2020

The most christian man I've ever met. When you were in Lew's company all you heard was laughter.

Walt & Sharon Keaton

April 2, 2020

"No practice today...see you in church on Sunday!" Love & miss him! The BLVD won't be the same!!

Tom & Ann Folliard

March 29, 2020

"No practice today!" Many, many fond memories. We have lost a good friend that will be greatly missed but always remembered. I searched for some of the pictures from Jamaica but couldn't find them. Oh what a time we had. Much love to the family and may God stand by your side in this time of need.

John Solberg

March 27, 2020

I played football and basketball for Coach Luce in 68/69 at Bullis. I always looked forward to practice with Lew. His love of the game (both games) was clear and obvious, and I loved to hear his stories

A friend of mine who was at Bullis at the same time I was told me of Lew's passing on Wednesday morning, and for the rest of the day we were constantly texting, emailing and calling each other with stories and memories of Coach Luce...some truly hilarious stuff.

He was fun and he was memorable, and in the final analysis, that's a pretty damn good legacy.

John Solberg
Bullis '70

Robert Russell

March 27, 2020

I knew Lew from our days in junior high school where I watched him play basketball and quickly realized he had amazing talent. Football in high school brought us together on the team that had a lot of success. He was an amazing player and a memorable person. Rest in peace

Bonnie Smollett

March 27, 2020

I remember Mr. Luce as he was a teacher for my drafting class at Sligo Junior High School. We would sit and talk about the Redskins and he was friends with my uncle, Jack George. I remember getting a demerit for giving him a piece of game at a basketball game. I was a cheerleader and we were not allowed to chew gum. Great guy and I am so sorry for your loss.

Bonnie Butler Smollett

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