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Lamar Leachman Obituary
August 7, 1932 - October 27, 2012
Myrtle Beach, SC
Lamar Robert Leachman, 80, passed away Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Myrtle Beach Manor following a valiant struggle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Coach Leachman was born in Cartersville, GA, the second son of the late Charles Walton Leachman and Eula Patterson Leachman. He was predeceased by siblings; Charles Walton Leachman, Jr., Eva Collier Williams and Billy Carlton Leachman.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Paula, of Myrtle Beach, SC; three daughters, Lisa Leachman Barrett (Jon) of Charlotte, NC, Lori Lynn Leachman (Peter Lange) of Durham, NC and Lamara Leigh Leachman (Hugo Solano) of Myrtle Beach, SC; six grandchildren, Zachary Chase Abrams of New York City, NY, Hunter Davis Hirsch of Myrtle Beach, SC, Hayden Shields Hirsch of Myrtle Beach, SC, Colby Lamar Leachman of Durham, NC, Savannah Charlotte Solano and Isabella Lucille Solano of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Lamar was a stellar football athlete at Cartersville High School. He held the Georgia High School Rushing Record until it was broken by Hershel Walker in 1979 who went on to win the Heisman Trophy. Lamar played linebacker and center at the University of Tennessee where he earned Honorable Mention All American. He played one season with the Calgary Stampeders (CFL).
In 1957, he began his coaching career at Savannah High School, Savannah, GA. He spent the rest of his professional life coaching football. Lamar's tenures were: Jenkins High School, Savannah, GA, Key West High School, Key West, FL, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA, Memphis State, Memphis, TN, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, New York Stars and Charlotte Hornets of the WFL. Toronto Argonauts, Toronto, Ontario, Montreal Alouettes, Montreal, Quebec, New York Giants, Rutherford, NJ and Detroit Lions, Detroit, MI.
Lamar was a member of the Super Bowl XXI Staff as Defensive Line Coach with the Giants. He coached the Pro Bowl in 1992 and the 1993 American Bowl in London, England with the Detroit Lions. After 37 years in coaching, he retired in 1995.
According to those who knew him and the game of football, he was one of the very best teachers of defensive techniques in the game. In Lawrence Taylor's book, "Living on the Edge", he makes reference to Lamar's teaching skills. Leonard Marshall also commends Lamar's importance in his pro career in his book, "The End of the Line".
Lamar lived life large. He loved his faith, family and football. The family is inspired by the spirit with which he lived. They extend thanks to the Myrtle Beach Manor skilled nursing unit, especially Greg McCray; Myrtle Beach Family Medicine and Incare Hospice for over six years of committed care.
Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2012 in McMillan-Small Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. James Mezick officiating. Burial will follow in Southern Palms Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association - www.alz.org or the Grand Strand Humane Society, 3241 10th Ave. Ext. N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.
An online guest register is available at www.msfh.net
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lamar Leachman
Mongo
September 29, 2021
Lamar had the biggest effect on my life of any person that I have known! RIP
Jim Berwick
April 21, 2020
Coach Leachman was a man who never negected anyone and made everyone feel special and had a way of cutting away excess ego to reveal your real self. He was one of my college coaches at Richmond University
Richard Brookshire
October 11, 2018
My high school coach I think he was way ahead of his time there a great fellow missed
April 7, 2013
Dear Mrs Leachman
My name is Roger Dietrich and I am senior crown attorney in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I would be the equivalent of a senior asssitant district attorney in Detroit, Michigan. We have never met and I was not a friend of your late husband. However I did meet him in 1996. I was a law student at Dalhousie Law School situated in Halifax Nova Scotia. I coached football at Saint Mary's University for a man your husband had coached the late Larry Uteck. Coach Uteck brought your husband to Saint Marys for three days in the fall of 1996. I spent three days with your husband and learned about football from him. I have to say it was the most amazing three days of football that I ever spent. What struck me about your husband was not only his incredible knowledge of the game of football specifically defensive line play but his incredible humble and funny nature. You see Mrs Leachman I was a Canadian boy who loved the game of football and dreamed of playing in the NFL. I was never close to fulfilling that dream as I played small collge football in the NAIA. Meeting your husband and speaking to him about football was one of the thrills of my life. Because, and you already know this, he spoke to me like I was someone. I remember being shocked when he first referred to me by my first name. But it was not just that, he asked about me and seemed genuinely interested. To this day I wonder why he would take the time to come to such a small school like St. Marys and spend time with myself and the other coaches. He was after all a super bowl champion but he never let us know it. I though of your husband today after watching a documentary on Chris Spielman and googled Lamar's name. I was saddened to see that he had passed. I noticed he died three days after my father died another man who always referred to people by their first name. I just wanted to you to know that you husband gave me the best three footbal days of my life. Every once and a while someone like myself gets to meet a person of incredible ability and character. I thought at that time and still do today that your husband was such a man. He gave a young man who never had a chance of gaining access to the NFL a glimpse itno that world! I will say this the only time I said no to him was when he wanted to go to the gym. I took a real long look at his arms and told him I didnot want to get outlifted by a man much older than me. He let out a hearty laugh and winked at me!
Mrs. Leachman I offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the loss of such a wonderful man from this world.
Sincerely
Roger Dietrich
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
MICHAEL KIATIPIS
January 1, 2013
My condolences to you Paula, Lisa, Lori, and Bean and all the grandchildren.
David Alea
December 2, 2012
TONIGHT, I just found out of his passing. A group of us was watching football, and I proceeded to talk about a great coach and person I knew that once coached the NY Giants to a superbowl, who also coached me in high school. I googled his name for the group, and was shocked and truly sad to find out of his recent passing. I'm now 64 yrs old, but I've always held close the memories of Coach Leachman. It was at Key West High School. He was an INCREDIBLE teacher of the game, and teacher of life. His values and sayings to this day have had an impact on my life, and to all those kids that played under him. Through my college and my professional life, he taught me to never give up, just get up and try again, and of course; "The strong shall survive, and the weak shall fall by the wayside". God bless this fine man, and sincerely, my thoughts are with you and your family though we've never met. He continues to be in my memories of the most admired and respected person of my youth.
andrew frye
November 9, 2012
It is never possible to find exactly the right words for all that comes with someone special passing butplease know you have been in my thoughts during these recent difficult times.
steve schnall
November 5, 2012
My condolences to Paula + family on Lamar's passing. Lamar set the standard for coaching defensive linemen in the NFL. He had a major impact on my life coaching the NY Giants.
His enthusiasm and passion for the game made everyone around him better.
Carey Mulwee
November 2, 2012
Mrs. Leachman, I don't think we ever met. I was a senior linebacker playing under Coach Leachman at Memphis State University in 1972. Coach was truly one of a kind. I can still hear him yelling, "You didn't lose your courage, did you you darlin'?" I have been praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
trish Kreutziger
November 1, 2012
Paula it was a pleasure to care for coach. He will surely be missed. You were so devoted to him and his care and did a wonderful job.
Trish Kreutziger,RN Incare Hospice
Woodie Safrit
November 1, 2012
Lamar was my friend for 40 years. A real mans man.tough but fair. He could make you be a better player than you really were. Everyone who played for and against lamar respected him. I will always love paula & Lamar. They are to put it simply. " the best " rest in peace my friend. We all will miss you.
November 1, 2012
We his family and children are blessed to have loved him, known him and lived with him. He was the "dude" in our household. We are also proud of how our family and especially our mother kept the faith and cared for him lovingly until the ends of his days.
The girls.
Mike Beard
October 31, 2012
Lamar was blessed with an outstanding loving wife, Paula. That tells me what kind of man he truly was!
Terry Williamson
October 30, 2012
My deepest sympathies to the family. Coach Leachman was my highschool football coach at Jenkins HS (1961-62) in Savannah and he has remained one of the most influential people in my life. His larger than life attitude will always be with me. May God grant him peace and add blessings to his memory.
October 30, 2012
Paula and family, please accept my sincere condolences in the loss of your husband/father. It has been a hard journey for Coach and all of you. Find comfort in knowing that he has a new life in God's loving arms.
Trish Taylor
October 29, 2012
All of you, the Taylor's are thinking of you! We love you, getting to know all of you ! You all gave us great memories and friendships. Thank you. The beach days were some of the best! Go Coach!
Paula you are the sweetest!
Love Trish Joey and the rest of the Taylor Gang!
Ruth Carol Leachman Hufstetler
October 29, 2012
Just wanted to let you know, Bill Leachman Family(Ruth Carol & daughter, Becky)are thinking of you all during this sad time.
Solano's Trattoria
October 29, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort. We always stay GREEN COACH.
G. Johnson
October 29, 2012
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
The Gill Family
October 29, 2012
We extend our condolence to the family of Mr. Lamar Leachman. He lived a long productive life because of special mightiness (Psalms 90:9,10). He will be missed by many, especially those in the football world. May the family rely on the God of all comfort during this time.
Cynthia Whitley
October 29, 2012
Mrs Leachman, so sorry for your loss, We loved the Coach, he was always in our service on Sunday Mornings at Myrtle Beach Manor, It was an Honor to know him.....Love and Prayers for you and your Family....We will remember him always......Ronny & Cynthia Whitley
Rachel
October 28, 2012
Rest in peace Coach!!
Rachel Plaga
October 28, 2012
Mrs Paula,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of "COACH" your Love story is one that I will forever remember!! My prayers are with you and your family at this time!!
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McMillan-Small Funeral Home & Crematory910 67th Ave North P.O. Box 7506, Corner of 67th Ave. And Bypass 17, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
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