Ronald Fuqua

Ronald Earl Fuqua, 73, best known as Coach Fuqua, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Ronnie was born on January 6, 1949, in Clarksville, TN, to Luke and Dorothy Ellis Fuqua. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Fred and is survived by his wife Patricia (Pat), his children Anna Christine Bowie (Palm City, FL), Jennifer Lynn (William) Maynard, Ronald Jay (Amanda) Fuqua, Justin Ladd; six grandchildren: Griffin Bowie, Macy, Sophie, and Will Maynard, Luke and Ethan Fuqua; a brother Scott (Nashville), and sister Jean (Gary) Howse (Springfield).

Ronnie was a celebrated athlete in high school and college. He was named 1967 Nashville Interscholastic League Trackman of the Year while attending West High School in Nashville. While there he set the Nashville Interscholastic League record in the 440-yard dash and made the 1966 All-NIL Team as quarterback. Evidence of his talent includes 33 touchdowns in 11 games and a 10 and 1 record in one season. The 1968 – 1971 Austin Peay sports history is full of stories of Ronnie’s successes in football and track and field. He scored seven touchdowns seven different ways in his career, the most unique being a pass from Red Roberts and a lateral run from Ronnie for a 50-yard touchdown. He still holds two football records and five track and field records at APSU.

He coached golf at Clarksville High from 1992 to 2004 placing in state championships five times including first place in 2002 and two team runners-up in 2001 and 2003. In 2003 and 2004 he was named the Boys’ Golf Coach of the year in the Southeast region by the National Federation of State High School Coaches Association. Upon receiving these awards, Coach Fuqua gave all the credit to the players for their dedication. His golfers best remember his focus on sportsmanship, playing smart, knowing the rules of the game, and basic etiquette. In his words, “…when you get through beating a guy, you take your hat off and shake his hand.”

In addition to golf, he also coached football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and wrestling. He often said that his favorite coaching experiences were his daughter Jennifer’s middle school basketball team that went undefeated in the county and his CHS golf team that won the 2002 state championship. Several years when he wasn’t coaching golf, he supported the teams as a parent manager helping to raise funds for equipment and travel, and to set schedules for practices and matches.

His career included teaching at Rhodes College, Russellville High School (KY), Ringgold Elementary, Northwest High School, Richview Middle School, and after retiring from CMCSS in 2007, Clarksville Academy. Kindergarten classes at Ringgold and physical education at Clarksville Academy were his favorite assignments. His Drivers’ Ed classes at Northwest generated some of his funniest stories.

In addition to his teaching and coaching, Ronnie worked as a TSSAA official earning recognition for 40 years of service having missed only one game during which he was babysitting his children. He was a TSSAA supervisor-at-large beginning in 2015. He also officiated college football for SEC and OVC games for 16 years. He enjoyed sharing that over the years he called UT Vols games eight times; their record was 8 wins and 0 losses.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Ronnie enjoyed recalling his years of playing football and running track, of officiating football, and of golf matches with friends. Pebble Beach Golf Course was among his favorite places. He was a charter member of the Chicken Fried Golf Tour and the Jumper Cup TN vs GA Golf Tournament, and was instrumental in the development of the Clarksville Junior Golf Program.
After he retired, Ronnie could be found fishing with Jay’s sons at the family pond, golfing with friends, and cooking for his family. He loved watching the sun rise from his pool deck. When he and Pat traveled, he made sure the schedule included sporting events. His bucket list included going to football games all over the country and collecting hats from each game.

In his leisure time, Ronnie enjoyed watching Gunsmoke, Andy Griffith, The Price is Right, and any sports movie (especially Caddy Shack). He also liked James Taylor, the Beach Boys, 60s music, the Tennessee Titans, the Chicago Bears, playing golf, working in the yard, and eating seafood and hamburgers. He recently recounted that many of his happiest memories were of watching his children and grandchildren play sports and perform in dance recitals, and having them share with him what they were learning. In turn, he enjoyed learning the rules of lacrosse, a sport new to him, when Christie’s son played it in high school and college.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022, at Madison Street Methodist Church at 4 p.m. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of the service. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Eddie Williams, Gary Shephard, members of the Chicken Fried Golf Tour, and members of the North Middle Tennessee Football Association.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Research (lbda.org) , APSU sports, St Jude’s, or Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels.

Online condolences may be made at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com