John Louis Zeno, Simmesport
Our devoted and loving father, peacefully passed away at his home on Tuesday Evening, November 14th, surrounded by his children. “Coach” was born on July 9, 1930 in the town of Simmesport, Louisiana. He was married to the Love of his life, Esla Gauthier Zeno for 52 wonderful years.
“Coach” was loved and admired by all that knew him and greatly valued each and every relationship he forged. If you asked “Coach”, he would say the greatest, of all his many accomplishments, was his family. He had a special way of always making each one of his children feel that they were the most important person in the world.
John Louis Zeno graduated from Simmesport High School at age 16, earned his BA from Southeastern Louisiana University, and his Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University.
As a teacher and coach for 23 years, he is most proud of having been given the opportunity to set a good example of how to be a kind respectful person. He loved teaching American History because he thought that it was very important for the younger generations in our country to understand why we live in the greatest country in the world and our responsibility to be a good citizen and person. He began his coaching career at Simmesport High School where he built the winningest basketball program in school history. He had coaching stints at Glen Oaks HS, Plaquemine HS, St. Gabriel HS, as well as, Woodlawn-BR HS. He ended his Coaching career at Woodlawn in 1972 and began a new career as Manager of Fishing Tackle for Fred Parnell’s The Sport Shop. This is where he was once again at the top of his game and used his lifelong passion for fishing as a tool for success. He began designing lures for most of the original “Giants” of the tackle industry and literally revolutionized bait patterns, colors, & sounds in just a few short years. He was known as the “Go To Guy” for ideas and designs for most of the bait manufacturers when the tackle industry was still in it’s infancy.
In 1976, “Coach” opened W-Z Sporting Goods where he continued designing and revolutionizing bait design for many manufacturers such as Bagley Bait Co., Bill Norman Lures, Fred Arbogast Lures, H &H Lures, Bill Lewis and numerous others. He designed over 70 patterns for Bill Norman Lures and as many for Bagley Bait Co. and many others. Bill Lewis Lures still sells two of “Coaches” original limited edition colors named after him, the “Z” Chrome and the “Z” Shad! Many of the Top National Tournament fisherman of the day, such as Roland Martin and Bill Dance traveled from other states to shop at W-Z Sporting Goods because “Coach” had special colors and designs that could not be found anywhere else. After 10 plus years in the hunting and fishing industry, he started a new endeavor in the Team Uniform business. This led him back to his passion of athletics where he once again built another great company called Zeno’s Sports Center. After 14 very successful years in business, he decided it was time to retire at the age of 83.
For the next 10 years, “Coach” spent a large amount of time fishing with family and friends and could be seen coaching from the stands at his kids and grandkids sporting events. Coach also attended over 50 dance recitals, never missing an opportunity to support his daughter and granddaughter.
“Coach” lived a very long life and touched so many with his generosity, kindness, and gentle spirit! He was a true southern gentleman and whether on the court or field, in the classroom, or even in public, Coach had the ability to bring out the best in everyone! The combination of his fierce and competitive nature and his kind and gentle demeanor made him the perfect person for anyone to talk to about a specific problem or just life in general. Over the years, many of those people that he touched have said that they could have conversations with him that they couldn’t have with their own father.
“Coach” was preceded in death by his wife, Esla Gauthier Zeno; first born son, Zane Mark Zeno; his parent’s, Carl and Hazel Zeno; his brother, Carl Zeno Jr.; and his sister, Barbara Zeno Bozant.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen Zeno Malespin and Gus Malespin, granddaughter, Megan Malespin, great grandsons, Harrison and Hunter Malespin, great granddaughter, Hayden Holden, grandson, Marc Malespin and wife Lauren Malespin, great grandsons, Maddox and Mason Malespin, Todd Louis Zeno and wife Jennifer Posey Zeno, daughter, Melissa Zeno, daughter Amy Zeno Waguespack and husband Thomas Waguespack, granddaughter, Kate Waguespack, daughter-in-law, Cindy Slay Zeno, beloved dogs, Milo and Lucca, niece, Suzanne Zeno Rollins, niece, Carla “Bootsie” Zeno John, niece Sherri Bozant Witt, niece Tara Bozant Talbot, Brother-in-law, Michael Gauthier and wife Barbara Pierson Gauthier, Mark Gauthier, Dr. Craig Gauthier, Jill Gauthier Tullier, Susan Gauthier Falgoust.
Visitation will be held on Monday November 20th at St. George Catholic Church 7808 St. George Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70809 from 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. with a religious service to follow. Burial will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home 9595 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70815.
Pallbearers: Todd Zeno, Gus Malespin, Marc Malespin, Thomas Waguespack, Michael Gauthier, Herschel “Bo” Adcock Jr., Mark Smith
Honorary pallbearers: Ronnie Moulard, Eddie Knoll, George Mayeaux, Marion Mayeaux, Richard Hess, Mike Brinkley, John Musmeche, Mark Gauthier, Dan Primeaux, John Maranto, Doyle“ Bubbie” Boudreaux
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenoaksfunerals.com for the Zeno "Coach" family.