Laurent Delagarde

1968 - 2023

Laurent Delagarde
October 25, 1968 - March 11, 2023
Boise, Idaho - Laurent Delagarde was born in Chalons-sur-Marne, France to Martine Loscot and Xavier Delagarde.
Our beloved Lau was a father, a friend, a son, a brother, a coach, a teacher, and many other things to many people. He is missed greatly by everyone who knew and loved him. He cherished his friends and family, and they felt the same about him. Above all, he loved his daughters Laureen and Fern Leonie. He was so very proud of them.
He had a passion for many things in life and he shared them with his friends and the world. He was always very athletic and excelled in rugby and American football. He loved the outdoors and spent time with friends and family rafting, canoeing, floating the Boise River, riding bikes, climbing, and camping. He was very easy-going and loved bringing people together. He would often invite friends over to celebrate French holidays and occasions. On January 6th, for Epiphany, he would bake a couple of King Cakes (Galette des Rois) and invite his friends over to share, and for the children to try and find the prize inside. He was always sharing other French foods, beverages, and culture, and bringing people together to enjoy them.
He cared a lot about young people and enjoyed being a coach and teacher. He created one of the first American football clubs in France. One of his first trips to the United States was with about thirty underprivileged children and teenagers who he brought to Los Angeles to play American football. Over the years, he coached football at Boise High School, Maranatha High School, and Moorpark College. In France, he was the athletic director for the Reims Champagne Jaguars, and a coach for the Champs Football Team. He was also a Rugby and Track & Field Coach at the University of Reims in Reims, France. Some of his accomplishments include:
Helped recruit and train players and coaches for the French national football team, 1996-2004
Created the city league Jaguars football program in Reims, France; recruited 160 members, then organized 6 teams for the first equipped football program for youth under age 13 in France.
Conceived of and organized the USA 2000 Project, bringing 30 French football players, ages 9-12, and 10 staff to a 21-day football camp in southern California.
From 1989-2005, took on numerous responsibilities with youth and college students in Reims, France as a sports technician, manager, and board member.
Just a short time before his passing, Lau travelled to California to pay respects to Coach Jim Bittner who had just passed away. Because Coach Bittner and his wife had taken Lau in and let him live with them before he got a USA work visa, he was able to move to America. Lau described his connection with Bittner as one of those moments that completely changes the direction of one's life. As a result of that moment many years ago, in early 2023, Lau received his American citizenship. He had said since he was seven years old that he wanted to visit or move to the U.S. And now, to quote his sister Christelle, Lau will be staying at his home in Idaho in the mountains he loved to stroll.
If you knew Lau, then you probably miss him, but you are also lucky, because you got to spend time with him.
A memorial / celebration of life is being planned for Saturday, May 13th at The Collective Church at 2590 N Bogus Basin Rd, Boise, ID 83702. The service will take place at noon. Afterwards, just as Lau would have done, friends and family will travel up to Bogus Basin for a picnic and to spend time together.