James M. Robarts Jr.

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Loyola University New Orleans

James Robarts Obituary

Name: Visitation for James M. Robarts Jr.
Start: 2023-09-18T10:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-18T12:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church (Lake Lawn Park)

James M. Robarts, Jr., age 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 8, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Mary Ann Alfortish Robarts, and three children: Mel Robarts (Judy), Veronica Dermody (Joe), and Randi Cancienne (Mike). He also leaves behind ten grandchildren: Rachel Lonergan (PJ), Leah Bourgeois (Thomas), Jake Robarts (Ana), Ethan Robarts (Sara), Christian McCann, Alex Dermody, Noah Dermody, Peyton Dermody, Victoria Smith (Cliff), Michael Cancienne, Jr., and eight great-grandchildren: Patrick Lonergan, Cecilia Robarts, James Robarts, Myles Robarts, George Bourgeois, Clark Bourgeois, August Robarts, and Audrey Smith. Jim is also survived by his sister, Jerrylynn Weller and beloved nieces and nephews. He graduated from Jesuit High School and Loyola University. Coach enjoyed a career as a baseball and basketball. He coached at Jesuit High School of Shreveport, Archbishop Rummel High School, East Jefferson High School, Loyola University, Haynes Academy, Archbishop Shaw High School, and St. Martin's Episcopal. He has been named by the LABC as "Mr. Louisiana Basketball," honored by LHSAA for Lifetime Accomplishment in Basketball, and inducted into the Louisiana State High School Hall of Fame, the Great Florida Shoot Out Hall of Fame, the Archbishop Rummel High School Hall of Fame, the Greater New Orleans High School Hall of Fame, the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame. In 2015, Archbishop Rummel High School's basketball court was named the "Jim Robarts Court." He coached 1102 games, with 708 wins, including 2 state championships, and numerous district championships and Final Four appearances. Coach always coached his players to be better men first, then better players. He loved coaching. He gave credit to his players for giving him such a successful career and loved them all. Jim loved his family and friends deeply. Some of his happiest moments were with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his friends. His family is most grateful for the kindnesses afforded Jim in recent years by these faithful friends. He could not have experienced as full a life in his final years without the help of his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Lester and Anthony Alfortish, and Robbye Alfortish. The generosity of his dear friends, who are many, gave him joy. He left a positive mark on this world. He will be missed. The family will receive friends Monday, September 18 at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Private interment will follow at a later date.

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Published by The Times-Picayune from Sep. 15 to Sep. 17, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for James Robarts

11 Entries

Dave Arthur

October 26, 2023

I am so blessed, to be able to call Coach Robarts my friend. He was a gentleman and a very nice person. His office at East Jeff was home to many great conversations! I´ll see you in Heaven Coach, for I know you´re there!!

Lisa Emboulas Farrell

September 19, 2023

Mel, Judy & Family,

Please know that you are all on my heart and mind, and more importantly in my prayers.

My deepest condolences,
Lisa Emboulas Farrell

Steve and Sherri Barton

September 18, 2023

Mary Ann, Steve and I are deeply saddened to learn of your loss. Such a legacy! We are sorry to be unable to express our condolences in only this way. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Craig Picnot

September 18, 2023

Coach Robarts, it was nice knowing you, from East Jefferson High School
Rest In Peace.

Bill Schaefer

September 17, 2023

My sincere condolences go out to Mary Ann and the rest of the Robarts family. Be assured my thoughts and prayers are with you. The Lord has decided it was time to bring home another great soldier, and a great one he will be, just as he was here on earth. Coach had a profound impact on everyone he met. He was a great coach and motivator to all his players and students. He was tough but fair, and always with the ultimate goal of not only winning games, but inspiring us all to reach our full potential in everything we do in life. His influence will be with me forever. RIP COACH!

Jeffry Cummings

September 16, 2023

Coach was a great coach, person and most of all a family man. He was truly inspirational to all he touch especially with his players. He taught that hard work on the court and off brings out the best. He touched so any and always wanted the best for everyone. I can say he was my coach and a great friend ! May he rest in peace and know we all thank him for his being our coach and inspiration!!!
Know I will always have you in my prayers and thoughts.
Jeff Cummings

Lloyd Bluain

September 16, 2023

If you played for him, you are a better for it. He demanded excellence, more than anyone ever demanded of me and I am still reaping the benefits of that!
He was hard to play for but he cared deeply for his players as often displayed in how he took care of us. I remember we went on a long trip and I didn´t have any money, he came up to me with a slight smile and asked me, Hey, let me see your wallet. I didn´t have one, he then gave me $40, and told me to not tell the other players. I would see this tender love and sweetness in him when his family came around, he would instantly become a big teddy bear!
I undoubtedly would not be the man I became without the drive, discipline and grit he instilled in me. I can still hear him yelling or grunting my last name.. BLUAIN!!

Gary Ault

September 15, 2023

When I was chaplain at Rummel and a basketball official, Jim would say he could say Mass better than I could officiate. Much love prayers, and so many memories.

Myles Seghers

September 14, 2023

My sincere condolences to Mary Ann and the entire Robarts family for the loss of Jim. One of the rock-solid foundations of Jim´s life was the love and appreciation he had for his wife and family. In the upcoming days, there will be many who honor Jim because of his accomplishments as a coach. Although he would be pleased and honored with the recognition, he would be most gratified and fulfilled with the titles of loving husband, father, and grandfather.
I have been very fortunate in my 46-year career in education to have many friends and colleagues that have helped shape and direct my growth as a professional. Jim Robarts is at the top of the list. I met Jim my first day on the job at Rummel in 1970. Almost immediately we became friends. In short order, I was asked if I was interested in helping with the basketball program. I said yes, and I served as a volunteer coach during the `70-´71 season. The next year, I was hired; and I was very fortunate to work with Jim as a basketball assistant in a voluntary or paid capacity for a total of fifteen of the nineteen years I was at Rummel.
The years I served as an assistant under the leadership of Jim Robarts were the most successful in the history of Rummel basketball. Varsity team highlights during those 11 years included two CYO championships, four district championships, one state runner-up, two state championships, and the longest consecutive winning streak in the history of Louisiana basketball.
Being a part of the successes of the basketball program was very rewarding. Perhaps more importantly, I learned valuable lessons associated with hard work, attention to detail, and the value of personal relationships. I was very fortunate to be able to build a strong relationship with the players, many of whom I coached for several seasons as they matriculated through the program. Moreover, I was blessed to have a strong relationship with Jim who was like a brother to me. He was my mentor, but more importantly he was my friend. He and I formed a special bond that existed beyond the years that we worked together and through the times that we were separated by the fact that our careers took us in different directions.
I loved Jim, and I have many fond memories of him. He had a great sense of humor, and he was a lot of fun to be around. He loved hamburgers, and I am still trying to lose the weight I gained eating all those doughnuts and drinking coke with him before morning basketball practices. He was a very bright man, very strategic, and very intense about basketball. I admired his passion and his competitiveness, and his players did too. He was demanding of his players and of his assistants because he wanted the best for them and the program. Above it all, Jim´s priorities were clear: he was dedicated his family, he was a man of faith, and he loved coaching. His family, his friends, players, fellow coaches, and all the many lives he touched throughout his life will keep his memory alive. God bless you Jim, and may you rest in peace!
Sincerely,
Myles Seghers

al fery

September 14, 2023

I was happy to have Jim as a colleague at Archbishop Rummel High School. He trained the Raiders well.

Warren Duncan

September 12, 2023

I feel very blessed to have been able to be one of coach Robarts first starting guards in his first two seasons coaching basketball at Rummel. Also blessed to be able to watch my three sons play under him at east jefferson. You can´t find a better general to lead the team against an opponent. His discipline, pointing out all the details and strategies were lessons to take in life off the court also. Praying for god´s peace for the whole Robarts family at this time. Much love, Warren Duncan, class of 1972!

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