George "G.W." Zachary, JR

Funeral services were held for Coach George Washington “G.W.” Zachary, JR, age 83, at First Baptist Church, in Homer, LA, on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Brian Thurman, officiated. Interment followed at Arlington Cemetery in Homer, LA. Visitation was at the church from 1-2 p.m., prior to the service.

G.W. was born June 13, 1941, in Minden, LA, to Marie Walker Zachary and George W. Zachary, SR. He entered into rest at his home on Lake Claiborne surrounded by family on August 7, 2024. G.W. was born the oldest of four boys growing up with a wonderful loving mother and a father who had been in the Navy and worked many years as a Deputy Sheriff. He was brought up very well disciplined. As we all know, our upbringing determines the path we take through the rest of our lives. 

His parents loved taking him and his three younger brothers fishing on the weekends. They had to go fish in Bodcau or Bistineau as Lake Claiborne was just a series of drains where they loved to hunt. G.W. would ride around town on his bicycle pulling his wagon to collect scrap iron and sell it for gas money. This helped build up his legs to prepare him for football while paddling up and down the creek made those forearms!

G.W. and 18 of his teammates made up the famous “Homer Iron Men” team of 1957. Upon graduation from Homer in ’59, two of the Iron Men joined him on their way to play for the Northwestern Demons. One of his years there, they played in and won the Gulf Coast Conference Championship.

Upon graduation with his Bachelor Degree in Education in 1964, G.W. married his high school sweetheart, Betty Auld, on August 7, 1964! They soon moved to Houma for his first coaching job. From there, G.W. took on a new opportunity at Jennings High School around ‘65 or ‘66 before settling in Merryville from ‘67-‘70.

Once the announcement was made for the buildings of both Claiborne Academy and Lake Claiborne, it was a very easy decision for him to gladly accept the offer to become the first head football coach back home near his parents and in-laws. G.W. enjoyed many years serving various roles at CA where he coached both boys' and girls’ sports and teaching countless students who were all very important to him. The relationships he built through playing football, coaching, and teaching remained near to his heart for the remainder of his life.

Once G.W. retired, he was able to spend most of his time hunting, fishing, and taking care of the yard work. After building their new home on Lake Claiborne in ’14, he enjoyed five years of fishing while awaiting his loving wife to retire and join him for the remainder of their journey together through this life. They had five more years together including the past two of which he spent taking care of her!

As they were lifelong members of First Baptist Church of Homer, they have many dear friends, church members, and neighbors who have been so good to lift them up with prayer, calls and visits.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Jerry Walker Zachary and James Charles Zachary.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Auld Zachary; daughter, Ann Marie Humphrey and husband Les of Dubberly, LA: son, Roger Zachary and fiancé Lisa of West Monroe, LA; brother, John K. Zachary and wife Joanne of Benton, AR; four grandchildren, Zachary Willis, McKenzie Zachary, Jarrett Zachary, and Matt Humphrey; a great-grandson, Owen Humphrey; and numerous other relatives and close friends.

G.W.’s family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Sam Abshire, Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, and the staff of Bristol Hospice for the care and compassion shown him.

Pallbearers were Andrew Abshire, Ryan Harmon, Doug Pike, Billy Wayne Taylor, Josh Wilkins, and Len Wilkins.

Honorary pallbearers were Hardy Myers and Dr. Charlie Roberts.

In lieu of flowers honoring G.W., his family suggests memorials be made to Claiborne Academy Alumni Association, First Baptist Church Homer, or charity of donor’s choice. 

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110