I first met Jerry Lancaster in the fall of 1963 when I was a junior and joined the Holmes Cross Country Team. As it turns out, Jerry would become very influential in my development as both a runner and student. A few years later after college, with Jerry’s endorsement I started teaching and coaching at Holmes and eventually became the cross-country coach when Charlie Jenkins resigned to take a new job. It was at this point that Jerry became somewhat of a mentor to me as a coach and teacher. He will never know how instrumental he was in the success of our Bulldog teams through the 1980s/90s. An early memory I have from the Fall of 63 as the team members were warming up down on the track before cross country practice, is a somewhat nervous and anxious Jerry informing the team that his wife will be having a baby (Jill) any time and he may need to leave practice abruptly. I was proud to be a member of his team. Jerry was a good man who used his God given gifts throughout life for the betterment of others. As the gospels say, ” You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race”. “Well done thy good and faithful servant” To Marie, Jill, Jamie and other family members you are in my prayers.