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Fred Weems Obituary
Dr. Fred William Weems, 70, of Bay St. Louis, surrounded by his loving family, was called home to the Lord and his sweet Patty on May 12, 2009. Coach Weems was born in Biloxi, Miss., on Dec. 30, 1938. He attended Perkinston Junior College and William Carey College on baseball scholarships. He was named Most Valuable Player while at William Carey. He joined the United States Army and continued playing baseball as the acting coach of the Kaiserslautern K's in Germany, where he ranked third on the military league's RBI list. He completed his Doctorate of Education while coaching at the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1972, while serving as head coach of the University of Montevallo, the Alabama Collegiate Conference named him Coach of the Year. Coach Weems has published numerous articles in Scholastic Coach. He moved to Bay St. Louis in 1974 and was a teacher and the head baseball coach for St. Stanislaus and Bay High School until he retired in 1994. He was involved in teaching and coaching for well over 40 years. In honor of Coach Weems and his endless dedication the Bay High School baseball field was named The Fred Weems Baseball Complex in 2004. Today it is affectionately known as "The Fred."
Coach Weems was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weems of Biloxi, and his beloved daughter Patty Weems Burch.
Survivors include his devoted caregiver and wife of 40 years Fran Weems; children Mike Weems and wife Jennifer of Bay St. Louis, Molly Weems Kergosien and husband Dr. Charles Kergosien of Brookhaven, Angie Weems Thriffiley and husband Dr. Jim Thriffiley of Biloxi, David Weems and wife Lindsey Weems of Mobile, Ala., Luke Weems and wife Annette Weems of Bay St. Louis, and Casey Weems of Bay St. Louis; beloved grandchildren, Joseph Burch, Cole and Graham Kergosien, Alex, Elizabeth, Madison and Frederick Weems, Jameson, Ainsley Kate and Anna Katherine Thriffiley, and Patrick Weems; sister, Phyllis Bourgeois.
As a young boy, Fred Weems fell in love with the game of baseball. As an adult, he fell in love with life, its ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows, the feeling of holding a new grandchild for the first time, and the merciless pain of losing a daughter. Whether he was teaching a young man how to hit a curveball or stopping for a moment to admire and photograph a seagull on the beach, Coach Weems loved life and everyone in it. Today, an entire community mourns his loss.
Goodbye Coach. Goodbye Dad. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Keep your swing down and tell Patty we love her.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Odyssey Home Health especially his special angels Nancy McKenzie and Kelly LaFontaine.
The visitation will be held on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Bay St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Hancock County Library System, 312 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520.
Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, MS is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Fred Weems
Dan Hebert
May 20, 2009
I graduated from Notre Dame High School with Fred back in 1956. Haven't been back to Biloxi in many years and unable to see our old class mates.....my loss. I would have liked to see Fred one last time. I wish the family my best. Goodbye my old friend.
Susan Piazza & family
May 18, 2009
The Weems Family, Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you as you go through this difficult time. Our thought's and prayer's are with you all. God bless you.
May 16, 2009
To the Weems Family and to Fred's sister Phyllis, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Fred and I were classmates and friends way, way back, in the Biloxi school system. His nickname was "Doodle" back then. It was a great time! May his memory be eternal.
-Demetri Vlahos, Biloxi
Joshua Ladner
May 15, 2009
To Luke, Casey, and Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I feel blessed that I had the opportunity of knowing your dad and know that he played a role in shaping the man that I am today. I am so sorry that I am not able to be with you all today, but please know that my thoughts along with my family's prayers are with all of you.
Jerry Gundlach
May 14, 2009
To Fran and Family, Our thoughts and
prayers go out to all of you at this time.
I met Fred while working at Sportsman's
Corner in Gulfport and he always wanted to talk about you and the family. He
loved you all so much. My wife, Lubeth
went to school with Fred at Carey and she
always had nice things to say about him.
He was one of her favorite ball players.
God Bless You and Your Family.
Alfred & Lucy Buckles
May 14, 2009
The Weems family is in our prayers and thoughts. Doodle was a great dedicated American, he will be missed. Phyliss we love you
Eddie Colbet
May 14, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lawankia Williams
May 14, 2009
I would like to extend my condolences to the Weems family. Lean on the Lord for strenghth to carry you through this difficult time.
Bill Poole
May 14, 2009
We extend our sincere sympathy to each of you. Please know that you are being prayed for. I was a teacher and coach at St. Stanislaus from 1970-1980 and got to know Fred as we worked together. I remember sharing my gardening efforts with the family, especially okra which he taught you Weems kids to enjoy. After leaving education in 1980, I became a Methodist minister and haven't kept in touch, but I know that Fred was a great person and made a difference in the way he lived out life! May God bless you richly at this time of loss.
Homer, Kelley, Blakeney, & Trey McKnight
May 14, 2009
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you strength during this difficult time.
Angie Farve
May 14, 2009
Casey, Luke and Family,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. I love Coach-he was a very influential person in the lives of so many. His gentle charm and humor will be missed by some many! He will always be "Coach Weems" to so many people and he will be greatly missed!
Joe Breal
May 14, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Coach Weems love for the game of baseball showed everyday at practice. It was a pleasure playing for him.
Markie Smith
May 13, 2009
Mike, Jennifer, and Luke
Have hope in tomorrow, have faith in the everlasting, and take comfort in the love of friends and family. We are sorry for your loss.
With our Deepest Sympathy,
I'Esha Smith
Olive Buckley
May 13, 2009
Ms Fran and family, When we moved to Waveland 20 yrs ago, the love of baseball brought our families together. Coach started with Charlie, and we ended with Mike coaching David. It was a wild ride that we will never forget. I feel honored to know him and all of you, and Odyssey was honored to share in his life also. Nancy and Kelly were blessed and we can't thank you enough for allowing us to assist you. We love and respect all of you. You will be in our prayers daily for strength and comfort. Charlie, Charlie Jr, David and Olive Buckley Rn PCM, Odyssey Hospice
Elton Buchanan
May 13, 2009
Mike and Luke
Words are a small comfort in a time like this, but as humans this is all we can give.Your Dad
was a great man and left a great legacy in life and baseball. God Bless and keep each of you. My thought and prayers to each of you and your family.
Chris and Paula Lacoste
May 13, 2009
Casey, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss. Savor happy memories and pictures. You will continue to be in our prayers.
May 13, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Weems family. Fred was a good friend.
Glenn and Melinda Williams
Freddie Yost
May 13, 2009
To the Weems Family,
Fred & I played ball together as kids--I am sorry to hear of his passing. I am glad to be able to say I knew him---
My prayers are with all of you.
Theresa Seeger
May 13, 2009
Casey, My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ginger Cagle Dastugue
May 13, 2009
To the Weems Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Hank Logan
May 13, 2009
Weems Family,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. A lot of fun memories of coach.God bless coach and his family...
Stacey Pate
May 13, 2009
The Weems Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
May 13, 2009
Mike & Luke,
My prayers are with your dad and your entire family. May he rest in peace and may your family have peace in your hearts.
Mike Bohlke and the entire GCBUA staff
Linda Knight Kivlan
May 13, 2009
Casey, Luke and Family,
You are in my heart and in my prayers.. "Coach" was truly a wonderful man. Everyone who knew him was blessed by his dedication to God and family, his courage and strength, and his willingness to always lend a helping hand. My family was blessed to call him friend. He won't be forgotten!
May 13, 2009
Casey and Family, our hearts and prayer are with you all. Ms. Gay, Ms. Judy, Ms Becky and Ms. Gay's students at HMS
Kelly Green Holder
May 13, 2009
The Weems Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joey Runnells
May 13, 2009
Luke, Casey, David and Family,
Although I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Fred I can tell he was a great man. His life seemed to be full of accomplishments and he gave unselfishly in everything he did. Stay strong and let me know if I can do anything....and I mean ANYTHING...for ya'll or the rest of the family.
God bless
Mark Ross
May 13, 2009
With all our thoughts and prayers, Long Beach High School Baseball, with great respect and admiration.
Mark Graham
May 13, 2009
What an inspiration. I remember meeting Fred as a 14 year old at a baseball camp he was conducting. I'll never forget those conversations about "swinging a bat". He loved coaching, teaching and being a friend. He was a great source of encouragement to me throughout my years playing baseball. He will be missed.
Daniette Bourgeois Bilnoski
May 13, 2009
My thought and prayers are with you at this time. Mr Fred was a great man.
Chad and Beth Ladner
May 13, 2009
Casey and the Weems family:
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Joy and Mike Dedeaux
May 13, 2009
Mrs Fran and Family,
We will pray for all of you as you render Mr.Fred's last honors of this earth, knowing that he is in the loving arms of Jesus and with those who proceeded him in death.
May 13, 2009
To the Weems Family,
Words are never enough at a time like this, but please know that you all are in our thoughts. Hold on to the memories and take comfort in knowing that the Weems family will truly have an ANGEL in the outfield.
With Our Deepest Sympathy,
Dwayne, Paulette, Guy, and Brittany Alleman
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