Coach J. Larry Ladner

Coach James Larry Ladner, age 88, of Kiln, passed away on December 12, 2025.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl E. Ladner and Birdie Mae Favre Ladner; brothers, Ronald David Ladner and Earl "Buck" Ladner; and his sister, Carolyn Ladner Adam.

Coach Ladner is survived by his wife of 65 years, Peggy Ann Ladner, his children, Pamela Ann Ladner Phipps (Larry), Kimberly Ann Ladner Taylor (John Thomas, deceased), Jay Larry Ladner (Jennifer), and Stewart Dean Ladner (Angie); his grandchildren, Chelsea Caveny Lewis (Ben), Jackson Luke Ladner (Mathilda), London Brook Ladner, and Parris Jade Ladner; and great-grandchildren, James Collier Lewis, and Ann Caveny Lewis, along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Coach James Larry Ladner was a native of Kiln, Mississippi, a legend and Ambassador of basketball, he was a 1955 graduate of Kiln High School, a 1957 graduate of Pearl River Community College, a 1960 graduate of Louisiana College and also attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned his Master's degree. He also attended Indiana University and the University of Alabama.

He was the Head Basketball coach at Picayune Memorial HS from 1960-71 and a professor at USM from 1971-1992 was a member of the National Guard, enlisted during high school and college. Coach Ladner was employed by the University of Southern Mississippi and was Assistant Professor Emeritus. He retired in 1992.

Coach Ladner was the first American coach to conduct clinics abroad. He coached South all-stars, was board president of Hancock Medical Hospital, on the First Bank advisory board, VP of the Alumni chapter, Hancock County, Kiln vitality President, Citizen of the year in Hancock County, speaker at over 1200 clinics, churches, and civil organizations, and received acknowledgement for Excellence in Teaching in 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1990. He enjoyed hunting turkey and fishing in his free time.

Coach Ladner's name is listed in The Pearl River Community College Hall of Fame, as well as Louisiana College and the Mississippi Association of Coaches. He was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Pearl River Community College.

"Through this journey of life, God has blessed me with my beloved family, players, and students, along with many friends and associates. In some small way, I pray that I have shared in your lives. May god bless each of you as you journey through life and make a difference. Always follow the "Golden Rule" - Coach J. Larry Ladner.

His family motto was always: God, Family, and Country.

Memorial contributions in Coach Ladner's name may be made to St Stanislaus College, 304 South Beach Blvd., Bay St Louis, Ms 39520, Brothers of Sacred Heart Foundation, 4600 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122, or Annunciation Catholic Church, 5370 Kiln- Delisle Rd., Kiln, MS 39556.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 11 am - 1 pm at Annunciation Catholic Church, Kiln, MS. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm in the church. Interment will be in Bayou CoCo Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, is serving the family.