Jerry Murnane

Coach Jerry Murnane, age 95, long-term resident of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 21, 2025.
  Born in Minnesota in 1930, Jerry moved with his parents and three siblings to Los Angeles as a child. As an adult, he earned a college degree at Cal State Los Angeles, and then went on to serve his country in the US Army. Subsequently, he moved to the Antelope Valley where he spent the rest of his life. It was there that Jerry devoted his life to education, coaching, and his family. He worked as a teacher and a coach for many years at    Antelope Valley High School and Quartz Hill High School, while also coaching at Paraclete High School, and Antelope Valley College, inspiring countless students both in the classroom and on the playing field and in the gymnasium. Known for his compassion, humor, and dedication, he left a lasting impact on generations who had the privilege of learning from him.
  Coach Murnane led the AVHS football team to its first Golden League title in football in 1956, and he coached the AVHS gymnastics team to their first CIF championship in 1960. He was the first coach in the history of AVHS to win a CIF championship. He spent the last decades of his career teaching science and biology at QHHS where he retired in 1991.
  Family and faith were at the center of Jerry's life. He took immense joy in watching his family grow, sharing his deep faith with them, and celebrating their accomplishments, and taking an interest in their lives.
  Jerry leaves behind his cherished wife of almost 68 years, Joyce, their three children, Lori, Larry and Terri, and their two adopted children, Jeremy and Myshal'le. Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Jeremy, Sr. He is survived by six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
  He will be remembered for his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering encouragement to those he raised, taught and loved. He was deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and spent many years volunteering at Sacred Heart Church and at Paraclete High School. He was also instrumental in the creation of a playground for the children at Sacred Heart School.
  A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Junipero Serra Catholic Parish in Lancaster, CA. For those wishing to make donations in Jerry's memory, please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Children's Center of Antelope Valley. Both organizations were dear to his heart.