Daniel Ray “Coach” Suire, Sr.

Published 1:49 pm Thursday, August 26, 2021

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church for Daniel Ray “Coach” Suire, Sr., 78, who passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Baton Rouge General Hospital.

Fr. Mikel Polson, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church will be officiating for the services.  The family is requesting visitation to be held Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley.  Interment will be in Duhon Cemetery in Mermentau, LA.

Dan was born in Crowley on August 28, 1942 to Anthony and Rita Suire. Blessed with nine brothers and sisters, Dan starred at St. Michael’s HS of Crowley in four sports leading the Crusaders to numerous district titles and state playoff berths. Suire’s football career continued at McNeese State from 1963-1966 where he helped lead the Cowboys to two (1963, ’65) Gulf State Championships and earned both a bachelor and master’s degree. Launching a career as an educator in 1967, Dan taught and coached in south Louisiana for over 40 years. Winning a football state championship at W.O. Boston in 1972 as an assistant and piloting a 1973 cross-country state-runner-up finish at W.O. Boston as well, Dan Suire’s coaching legacy resonated across multiple school and sports in Cajun country. However, Dan Suire’s greatest legacy will always be his role as a husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Elize Ann Suire of Baton Rouge; two sons, Danny Ray Suire, Jr. and his wife Laura of Baton Rouge, and Gregory Michael Suire and his wife Heather of Greensboro, NC; three siblings, Tony Suire, Sandra Hanks, and Kathy Kuffler all of Crowley; and six grandchildren, Angelle Suire Hakenjos and her husband Griffin of Baton Rouge, Tyler Thomas Suire of Baton Rouge, Nicholas David Suire of Baton Rouge, Hope Lee Holland Suire, Ella Frances Holland Suire and Mary Kennedy Holland Suire of Greensboro, NC.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Rita Dore Suire, Sr.; three sisters, Dot Suire, Mary Gilbert, and Joy Lee Trahan; and three brothers, Richard Michael Suire, Wilson Joseph Suire, and Lawrence “Larry” Suire.