Coach Donald Harrison Shows

Coach Donald Harrison Shows

A memorial service for Donald Harrison Shows of West Monroe, Louisiana will be held at 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 7, 2014 on the Don Shows Field at Rebel Stadium under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe. The public is invited to share in this celebration of life. We hope to fill the stands in his honor.

Donald Harrison Shows was born on February 15, 1940 in Ruston, Louisiana to George Melvin and Thelma Shows. He went home on March 3, 2014, at the age of 74. He is survived by his dedicated bride, Daune Elizabeth Ducote Shows and his four children, Stephanie Shows McBride of Houston, Texas, Kimberli Shows Porter, Casey Harrison Shows, and Haley Elizabeth Shows all of West Monroe. In addition, he is survived by nine grandchildren, Ryan, Will, Kylee, Chase, Michael, Reece, Raleigh, Stevie Faye, and Donald Gunner. He is also survived by his two sisters-in-law, Helen and Nelwyn Shows.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Melvin and Thelma Shows, brothers Patrick James Shows, and Melvin Ray Shows.

Don Shows attended Ruston High School where he lettered in four sports: basketball, baseball, track and football. He went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech University while on a track scholarship. His first coaching job was at Haughton High School and went on to coach at Farmerville, Caldwell, Ouachita, Alexandria Senior High, Jonesboro-Hodge, Pineville, Northeast Louisiana University, Northwestern State University, and ultimately found his home at West Monroe High School in 1989. This past season would have been his 50th year coaching. Coach Shows loved his job and often said, "I've never been to work a day in my life." He appreciated the support of his coaches, administration, school board and the community. He often expressed that his success was a result of this support.

He is most well known as the man under the headset on Friday night, but there was more to our dad than just football. He was an avid outdoorsman and took full advantage of living in Sportsman's Paradise. When not on the field, he could be spotted on the golf course, in the deer stand, in a duck blind or on the lake in his boat. He loved going to the movies, watching westerns, and eating good food. Dad had a hidden talent. He was an amateur bowler invited to go pro in his early years, which would become obvious when he "rooked" you into a game of bowling. He often referred to Daune as the "blonde-bomber" but had the utmost respect for his wife of 39 years. Dad taught his children to never give up and finish what you start. He was always there to lend an ear, offer advice or just remind us that it will all work out.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Don Shows Scholarship Fund at Ouachita Independent Bank, 2002 North 7th Street, West Monroe, LA 71291 care of Altheia Owens. A scholarship will be given annually to a student athlete in his honor.

The family would like to thank everyone from across the nation for their outpouring of support. We are looking forward to celebrating his life and he would want us all to know...the best is yet to come.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

West Monroe, LA