Richard Leroy Romines' Obituary
On February 6, 2014, Richard Leroy Romines - known to many as “Coach” - left his wonderful life on earth to ascend to his heavenly home. Leroy was born in Good Springs, Texas on December 22,1940. He grew up in Carlisle and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1964. He was a proud member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He married his bride of 48 years, Betty Lou, in 1965.
He began his coaching career in Wells, followed by stops in Dayton, Hemphill, Hooks, Henderson, Barbers Hill and, finally, moving to Longview in 1978. He led the Lobos to their first District Championship in school history with many to follow. In 1992, Leroy took the Longview Lobo men’s basketball team to State, winning the 5A state tournament. That same year Leroy was named Texas 5A Coach of the Year by TABC and the Texas Sports Writers Association. He was an active member of TABC where he served as President. In 2009, Leroy was inducted in to the Texas Coaches Basketball Hall of Fame. Leroy’s coaching career ended in 1996 due to chronic heart condition. Leroy had a significant impact on his players and was admired and respected throughout the Longview community.
He was very strong in his faith and attended First Baptist Church of Longview. He took great pleasure in the company of his men’s Sunday School class and the great in depth discussions that occurred. Following retirement, Leroy enjoyed his many golf buddies at Wood Hollow and Oak Forest. Golf became his passion and spent many hours with his brother and best friend “Budgie” on the links. Leroy was honored and enjoyed serving as a board member of East Texas Professional Credit Union for 11 years serving 2 of those years as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Leroy was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He was happiest when all the family was together. Leroy cherished playing golf with his grandsons and was the proudest grandfather in the stands at their many sporting events. By the grace of God, Leroy received a heart transplant in 1997. An unfortunate side effect of the transplant occurred in 2006 when Leroy was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoma cancer. He was a true warrior and even though he lost his battle with cancer, his family still calls him the “Miracle Man”.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Ruby Romines, brother Robert “Budgie” Romines and his beloved son William Taylor Romines. One of his favorite sayings to his children - especially to Taylor - was, “Take care of business”. Leroy always believed “if you are going to do something, do it right and not half-way”.
Leroy is survived by his wife, Betty Lou, his daughter, Jennifer Romines, daughter, Jana Sellers, and husband, Wayne, and their son Rhett, daughter-in-law, Lisa McCain, and husband, Dub, and grandchildren, William Jess Romines McCain and Grace McCain, his sister, Judy Rogers, and husband, Rex, sisters-in-law, Cindy Romines and Patricia Courtney, and beloved nephews, Marc Surles, Michael Romines and wife, Jenny, Robert Romines and wife, Jennifer, Josh Rogers and wife Macy, and nieces, Tasha Mims and husband, Jason, and Tiffany Reaves and husband, Trevor.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and family who were great “Prayer Warriors” as well as the wonderful care from Hearts Way Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society or Hearts Way Hospice of Northeast Texas.
A celebration of Life will be held at 1 PM Monday, February 10, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Longview with Dr. Cary Hillard and Dennis Rivers officiating. Burial will follow at Rosewood Park. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 4-6 PM at the funeral home.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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