ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: NORTH, JOHN "COACH" P., JR.

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, Covington, La.

Died Tuesday July 6, 2010

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NORTH, JOHN "COACH" P., JR.
(June 17, 1921 - July 6, 2010)

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John P. North, Jr. died on July 6 at the age of 89. 

He was born in Gilliam, Louisiana, grew up in Old Hickory, TN and was a resident 
of Covington and Mandeville for the past 27 years. John graduated from Castle 
Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN and Vanderbilt University where he 
earned Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps and 
served in the South Pacific during World War II.

While in high school at Castle Heights he was recognized as an outstanding 
natural athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. He set numerous 
school records and was inducted into the Castle Heights Hall of Fame. John was 
offered football scholarships at several universities but chose to attend 
Vanderbilt, close to home. In his freshman year he played football, basketball 
and ran track for the university. This was at the height of World War II, and 
after his freshman year he enlisted in the Marines to serve his country. He was 
severely wounded on the Island of Tinian and earned the Purple Heart. After his 
honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant, he returned to Nashville and 
began to rehabilitate his wounded legs so that he could play football again. He 
rejoined the Vanderbilt team and served as captain, played offensive and 
defensive end and was the place kicker. In spite of limitations due to his war 
injuries he was chosen for the All American team his senior year. He was drafted 
by the Washington Redskins and played professional football for the Baltimore 
Colts for three years. John was a receiver for the Colts and held the record for 
the longest pass from the line of scrimmage (thrown by Y.A. Tittle) for many 
years.

After his retirement from the Colts, he began his long coaching career, first as 
a high school coach in Alabama and then for college teams, including Tennessee 
Tech, the University of Kentucky and Louisiana State University (LSU) on the 
staff of Charles McClendon in the early 1960's. He left LSU to accept a position 
with the Detroit Lions where he worked for eight years.

He joined the staff of the New Orleans Saints and was appointed head coach early 
in the 1973 season. His tenure with the Saints spanned two plus turbulent years 
and included a player's strike and a rained out training camp. In spite of these 
setbacks, the Saints gained respectability and reached several milestones 
including the team's first shutout. Coach North will be remembered for his 
hardnosed approach to football and his sideline antics. After Coach North left 
the Saints in 1975 he ended his NFL coaching career with seven years as an 
offensive coach for the Atlanta Falcons.

After leaving the Falcons, Coach North returned to the New Orleans area and 
served one year as quarterback coach for the USFL New Orleans Breakers. After 
retirement from football, he worked as a licensed Real Estate Agent on the North 
Shore. He was an active member of St. Timothy Methodist Church, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars and remained an active member of the NFL Alumni Association .

Coach North is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Blondell 
"Dell" McClure North and his son, John P. North III. He is survived by his 
daughter, Martha North Tennison (Nelson), granddaughters Gayle Guglielmo Croxton 
(Steve), Dell Guglielmo, Katie North Demicelli (Mike), and 5 great 
grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at E. J. 
Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Ave. Covington, LA 70433.

Visitation will begin at 12:30 PM.

Committal will follow the service at the adjacent Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Coach North (the bread 
man), to the St. Timothy Methodist Church Wednesday Night Meal Outreach 
Ministry, 334 Asbury Dr. Mandeville, LA 70448.

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