Garry Ortner, a Louisiana High School Soccer Coaches' Association Hall of Fame Coach, died Tuesday night in the Baton Rouge Burn Unit at the age of 65.

Complications stemming from an accident led to his nearly four week battle.

Ortner is survivded by his wife Toni and their children, Michelle and Michael.  

The funeral is at Honaker Funeral Home in Slidell. The address for the funeral home is 1751 Gause Blvd West. The visitation is from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. with the service at 1 p.m. They had previously set up an account at any State Investors Bank for donations. There is no idea how much their insurance will cover but any money left over from the donations will then passed along as a another donation to the Burn unit at the hospital.

Right now, we pray for the repose of Coach Ortner's soul and for the comforting of the entire Ortner family.

Ortner launched his prep soccer coaching career an assistant coach at Northshore High School in Slidell where he and his daughter Mcihelle racked up four straight state championships (1986-90). He eventually took over Jesuit's program in 1993 after three years as an assistant. He then led the Blue Jays to three state titles along with a number one ranking in the United States. He retired after winning the 2002 State Championship 3-0 over my Brother Martin squad and finished his Jesuit tenure with a 210-25-11 record.

Garry was President of Slidell Youth Soccer Club was elected Vice President of Boys Programs for the Louisiana Soccer Association.  He served as General Manager for the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers, the semi-pro team that played in New Orleans during the 1990’s.  He coached youth teams of all ages during his coaching career.

Ortner's death is a deep loss to the soccer community which rallied around him this month via a blood drive at Mandeville Soccer Club where his son Michael is one of their coaching directors, and prays for him through the radio on my Monday Night Futbol show.

We will be doing a special tribute broadcast this Monday in honor of his lifetime of service to our community, not only as a soccer coach but as a veteran of 27 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Rest assured that our prayers and deepest sympathy goes out to the Ortner family.