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A Celebration of Life will be held in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, at 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, for Nelson Ray "Coach" Stokley, 66, who died peacefully amongst family on June 5, 2010.
Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Crowley, La.
Reverend Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen, Rector of Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, will conduct the service. Lectors will be Katherine Kirsch and Colleen Ottinger. Eulogist will be Preston Guidry.
Survivors include his wife Kathleen "Kathy" Randol Stokley, his children, Jamie Stokley Kirsch and her husband Tim of Crowley, Shawn Stokley of Lafayette, and Brandon Stokley and his wife Lana of Denver; his stepchildren, Michael Guidry of Lafayette, Elizabeth Guidry Badeaux and her husband Jamie of Baton Rouge, Robert Guidry and his wife Holly of Baton Rouge, Colleen Guidry Ottinger and her husband Stuart of Lafayette; his grandchildren, Katherine, Connor and Samuel Kirsch, Peyton Stokley, Cameron and Carson Stokley, Roman and Mary Lucile Badeaux, Hayes Guidry, and Ford Ottinger; and one brother, Bobby Stokley and his wife Debbie and their son Vance of Lafayette.
Nelson was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Holly Stokley, and by his grandchildren Elise and Taylor Kirsch.
Nelson was born in Kennedy, Texas on March 12, 1944. He earned a degree in Accounting from L.S.U. in 1967. He played football for L.S.U. from 1965-1967, leading the team as Quarterback to victory in the 1965 Cotton Bowl and the 1967 Sugar Bowl. He was voted All-SEC in 1965 and 1967 and was named SEC Sophomore of the Year in 1967 as well as LSU’s Most Valuable Player. That same year, Nelson was named the first-ever winner of the prestigious James J. Corbett Award, given to the most outstanding amateur athlete in Louisiana. For over 30 years he coached football, joining the L.S.U. coaching staff in 1968 as an assistant under the legendary Charlie McClendon (1968-1973) with four straight nine-win seasons. Nelson served as Offensive Coordinator at Virginia Tech (1974-78) and Clemson (1980-1985). Reaching the pinnacle of success in college football in 1981, by helping to guide Clemson to a perfect 12-0 season and the National Championship.
In 1986, Nelson returned to Louisiana to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a head coach. He took over the program at the University of Louisiana (USL) where he spent 13 years, producing 7 winning seasons, as Head Coach, eventually serving as both Athletic Director and Head Coach for a period of time. At one point, Nelson was the only individual in Division I-A Football to hold a dual position. In 1993, he had the nations #1 turnaround team finishing 8-3. He was recognized as the Big West and Louisiana Coach of the Year in 1993-1994. Under his guidance, in 1996, USL had the first ever victory over a top 25 team by defeating Texas A & M. Nelson was affiliated with Bartelstein & Associates as a Fundamental Skills coach for aspiring NFL recruits and served on the Harris Poll for 2 years. Throughout his tenure at USL, Nelson put 13 players in a position to make it in the NFL, one being his son Brandon Stokley. Brandon was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and is currently playing for the Denver Broncos. One of the many highlights of Nelson’s career was having the opportunity to coach his son and see him excel at the next level.
After retiring from College coaching, Nelson joined his wife as an owner/operator of Pete’s Family Sports Grill, where he loved watching Brandon on TV, playing Fantasy Football and visiting with his customers. Always a fierce competitor, Nelson was a low handicap golfer, reaching a milestone in 2008 with his first hole-in-one at the Farm Golf Course.
One of Nelson’s favorite times of the year was the Mardi Gras whether it was riding on a float or sitting on the parade route catching beads. He was a member of Krewe of Bonaparte and reigned as King Xanadu IX.
He also served with the Multiple Sclerosis Association, Heart Association and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America assisting in their fundraising efforts.
Pallbearers are Bobby Stokley, Tim Kirsch, Mike Guidry, Robert Guidry, Jamie Badeaux, Stuart Ottinger, William “Butch” Canty, Billy Gautreaux and David Tidwell.
Honorary pallbearers are Arthur Randol, III, Frank Randol, Rick Randol, Brother-in-laws, Causby Hamic, Jr., Miles Aldredge, Cornelius Babineaux, Joseph Babineaux, Dr. George Billeaud, Frank Boudreaux, Raymond Cordova, Richard Comeaux, Mel Credeur, Dr. Wayne Denton, Dale Deshotel, Bobby Farenthol, Mark Fontenot, Danny Ford, Preston Guidry, Dr. Phil Kramer, Jim Kreamer, Tony Mannina, Jimmy Martin, John Porche, Chuck Reedy, Lew Rigaud, Nelson Schexnayder, Phil Simon, Lynn Williams, the Grid Iron Alumni, and UL Coaching Staff (1986-1999).
His family wishes to thank, Mitch Richard, his hospice nurse Pat Richard and the Cornerstone Village South staff.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, La. 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com or to The Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s Southside Lafayette location on Monday, June 7, 2010 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Tuesday from 8:00 AM until time of service.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
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