Obituary | Coach Raymond Blanco Visitation, Funeral and Burial Details

Services will be Monday for Raymond “Coach” Blanco, longtime UL administrator and former First Gentleman of Louisiana, who died this weekend at the age of 87.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 3pm – 7pm in the UL Student Union Ballroom, 620 McKinley St, Lafayette, LA. A prayer service and celebration of life reflections will begin at 5:30pm. Parking is available at Olivier Hall Parking Tower across the street.

Visitation will resume on Monday November 28, 2022, from 10am – 12:30pm at Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave, Lafayette, LA.

A Funeral Mass and visitation will be held on Monday, November 28, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 515 Cathedral St, Lafayette, LA. Reflections: 1:30pm, Mass, 2pm.

Immediately following mass, the Rite of Committal and Burial: St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery 174 Church Street Grand Coteau, LA.

Walters Funeral Home in Lafayette is in charge of the arrangements.

Here’s his full obituary:

Raymond Sindo “Coach” Blanco, peacefully passed away at the age of 87 on November 19, 2022, at his home in Lafayette, Louisiana, surrounded by his family.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Marie Babineaux Blanco, his father, Goumersindo Blanco, his mother Mary Locascio Blanco, his brother, Joseph Blanco, and by a beloved son, Benedict Andrew Blanco. He is survived by his children Karmen Blanco-Hartfield (Jerry), Monique Blanco Boulet (David), Nicole Blanco George, (John), Raymond Blanco, Jr. (Aprill), and Pilar Blanco Eble (Michael), and 17 grandchildren Savannah Blanco-Trumps & Allyson Hartfield, Kathleen, David, Zachary & Sam Boulet, Angelle, Tripp, Graham, Crawford, & Bishop George, Ray and Drew Blanco, Ben Michael, Eli, Miles, and Oliver Eble. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, and a long list of nieces and nephews. He adored his big family.

The son of Spanish and Italian immigrants, he was born August 16, 1935, where he was raised a devout Catholic on the southside of Birmingham, Alabama. The injustices he witnessed during Birmingham segregationist struggles spurred in him a lifelong mission to advance equality and justice. He brought a fearless, unorthodox, and courageous approach to this pursuit of justice.

Convicted by faith, he lived the gospel truth that all people are created equal. His faith grew during his tenure at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and political science in 1958. At Benedictine, Raymond was influenced by the monks and embraced the teachings and philosophies of St. Benedict – teachings he later instilled in his children, players, and friends alike.

Raymond was impossible to miss. His booming voice, boisterous laugh, and large stature grabbed the attention of all within earshot. A legendary football coach, he transformed young men and boys into championship winners. He served as assistant coach at Kirwin High School in Galveston, Texas 1958-1961, Head Football Coach at Catholic High School in New Iberia, Louisiana 1961-1963, where he won the title of Louisiana High School Coach of the Year in 1961 and led the team to win the State Championship in 1962.

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