George Baskerville Lancaster Jr.

The Life and Legacy of Love Obituary George B. Lancaster, Jr. George Baskerville Lancaster, Jr. was born to the late George Baskerville Lancaster, Sr., and the late Isabelle Vivian Hamlette Lancaster on April 4, 1945, in Durham, North Carolina. George grew up in Chase City, Virginia, and attended Mecklenburg County Public Schools. He was a talented athlete who excelled in sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball at West End High School, from which he graduated as a standout in 1962. He furthered his education at Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), joining the basketball team as an accomplished point guard and attaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. George was baptized at an early age at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Chase City. He enjoyed dressing with jackets, ties, and the shoes that spring-boarded his proclivity to Cole Haan. Sunday mornings were spent in Sunday School and morning worship singing hymns, lifting prayers, and reciting scriptures. As a true and self-professed country boy, he enjoyed gardening and playing all kinds of sports and ball from backyards to school yards. His intrinsic care for and support of others began in his early childhood years. Every New Year’s Day, it was his responsibility to deliver bowls of black-eyed peas that his mother would prepare. Every neighbor would warmly welcome him as the first male visitor to cross the threshold with the tradition of “good luck”. During summers as a teen, George would travel to New Jersey, spending time with his “northern” cousins, and being gainfully employed in customer service industries. Although he enjoyed the summer city life, country living was dear to his heart. A driven competitor, he would arrange basketball “secret matches” in Mecklenburg during the early 1960s. West End High School and Bluestone High School in Mecklenburg County were not permitted to contend because of segregation. These pick-up games would be discreetly played in an old tobacco barn. The camaraderie might have been legally prohibited, but the passion for the sport could not be banned. While matriculating as a Virginia State Trojan, Coach Lan earned CIAA All-Tournament honors, among other awards that earned his induction into the VSU Hall of Fame. After earning his degree, he returned to his hometown in Mecklenburg County to accept his first teaching and coaching positions, working at the middle and high schools. He became a well-loved and highly respected teacher, coach and friend to many. While at West End and Bluestone,, he achieved many notable victories. He always celebrated the opportunities to invest in the community of his childhood home. He made Richmond, Virginia his home after the birth of his beloved “first born”, which was the tipoff of a lauded career. The consummate athlete, he collaborated to advance many youth recreation programs and summer camps. He taught Health and Physical Education at Huguenot High School, and served on the coaching staff for track and field, girls’ and boys’ basketball, among several other sports. He enjoyed coaching and building first-class athletic programming, while humbly showcasing his own athletic prowess on the basketball court. Colleagues would often say that his middle initial “B” stood for “Basketball.” Facilitating excellence in the Huguenot Falcon community, numerous gifted players powered the hardwood under his tutelage. He considered guiding and propelling greatness and talent in others as a personal blessing to him. Following his tenure at Huguenot, he was offered, appointed, and named as the FIRST African-American head coach in Henrico County, which was the impetus to a continued career of celebratory acknowledgements and honor. The Highland Springs High Springer community bolstered his championship mindset, where he humbly served as a front-facing agent of high-quality commitment and fervor. Winning was a mantra. District-level recognition, regional commendations, and state acclaim highlighted across seasons. Under his powerful training and guidance, Highland Springs secured the victories of the Virginia AAA championship in 2003 and 2007. Coach Lancaster was an intellectual, philosophical, and analytical expert speaker. He shared these qualities with profound delivery and accented with humor. It was never uncommon to see news reports highlighting his side-court quips and quotes. Newscasters, reporters, and journalists would even seek out and highlight Coach Lan’s post-game commentary and the dialogue ignited long-term friendships with many of them. His extensive career in education, serving as teacher, coach, and mentor garnered innumerable accolades and distinctions. Countless athletes attribute their achievements to his tutelage, guidance, and support. He lauded that the skills already existed in his players, he just humbly honed and further developed them. George had the uncanny ability to encourage and captivate people in such a way that the very best in them would emerge. In addition to the various talents and skills that availed success and excellence in athletics, he had an incomprehensible knack for remembering the birthdates of everyone and would be the first to extend greetings through a call or text. He made everyone feel uniquely loved, remembered, and valued. Throughout his life, Coach maintained a commitment to humility and inspiration, while building confidence in everyone he encountered. His wisdom touched even those who had never met him. He would frequently share that his mother wanted him to be a minister. One of his fondly remembered quotes is, “Always keep a prayer on your lips”. George immensely enjoyed connecting family and friends. He took great pleasure in jaunts, drives, and journeys up and down the east coast within small and large corridors of fresh air visiting family and loved ones. He relished occasions of “time together” with sometimes only one, or often more than one, always expressing love. He treasured moments with his children and family, and doted on his grandchildren. Holidays regularly included breakfast at Cracker Barrel and lunches and dinners wherever there were fried oysters or red snapper on the menu. The chef, cuisine connoisseur, landscaping horticulturalist, jazz enthusiast, and listening ear displayed an unparalleled swagger on the greens as an avid golfer. He viewed water as a tranquil and restful place to retreat, and enjoyed spending time with loved ones making memories in Charleston, South Carolina, Ocean City, Maryland and the Outer Banks of North Carolina In retirement, Coach Lancaster remained connected to educating, planning, and training through his work in local sports programs and basketball camps. His influence never stopped. When he returned to live in his family home in Chase City, he was asked to consider coaching at the local high school, and he enthusiastically accepted. He coached girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, the golf team, supported the football team, served as sports announcer, and extended his assistance in any requested capacity. He followed the call, serving with purpose in his life’s ministry. It gave him great joy advocating for and mentoring young (and seasoned) people with whom he worked over the years. He will be remembered as a legend who leaves a legacy of love! In the late night hours of August 23, 2025, Coach George B. Lancaster, Jr. was called by God as a good and faithful servant, off of this earthly court, securing the victory in his home on high. Daddy, George, Dad, Granddaddy, Uncle George, Coach Lan, Coach, Mr. Lancaster - friend to all and stranger to none, peacefully transitioned from labor to reward, surrounded by his biggest fans, his children. He leaves to cherish his memory his four loving and devoted children, first born, Kara Lancaster-Gay (Rick), oldest son, Jerrell Boswell (Lynnette), two youngest children, George B. Lancaster, III (Natalia) and Audra Lancaster Boyce and their mother, Patricia B. Lancaster; eight loving grandchildren, Tarik Gay, Tahja Gay, Anthony Boswell, Mia Boswell, Taryn Gay, Jada Kegley, Eden Boyce, and Naliyah Lancaster; his dear sister, Kathryn Lancaster Pettus and her family, Dr. W. Clinton Pettus, Kahlicia, Kharissia, and Khamara Pettus; two great-grandchildren, Ezra and Alia; beloved companion and memory-maker, Linda McCullough and her family, Sherri, Caleb, and Gabriel; stepmother, Martha Lancaster; first cousins, Joy Franklin, Fay Davis, Raynah Adams, III, Paul Lancaster Adams, Sr. Lumaria Blakeney, Donald Pierce, Sr., Bernadine Foster-Nash, Betsy-Jo Aridi, and Victor Williams; godson, Aubrey Fountain, IV, Esq, and host of other relatives, loved ones, life-long friends, prayer partners, “like brothers”, “like sons”, “like sisters” and “like daughters”, golfing buddies, and friends, a list that far exceeds the number of his career wins. The contributions and the impact of George B. Lancaster, Jr. are immeasurable. He was adored by many who loved him as a father-figure, friend, brother, colleague, and mentor. His legacy of humble tenacity, upright authenticity, steadfast commitment and LOVE will live on through each of us. “He has shown you, oh mortal, what is good. And what does The Lord require of you, but to love justice,show mercy,and walk with your God." Micah 6:8

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George Baskerville Lancaster Jr.

April 4, 1945 - August 23, 2025