It is with a heavy heart that I report that long time Fleming County and Cobras baseball coach Gary Ishmael passed away early this morning from a suspected heart attack. My prayers go out to Gary's family. He was a great person, great with kids and a very good coach. Gary we will miss you!

Yes he will be missed...we naturally are taking it pretty hard. Gary has done more for the youth of Fleming Co. than anyone can imagine. He was involved with and coached youth football in Fleming Co. for over 20 years, worked with and coached the middle school football team for several years, coached middle school baseball, had helped with girls softball, had been on the chain gang for the Panthers for as long as I can remember, and of course his pride and joy the Cobra's traveling baseball team. He not only coached sports to many young men, but also life lessons and about the things that were important (doing things the right way and being a good person). I remember a few years ago when Gary, myself, and several others laid sod for the middle school baseball field at the Rec Park. He was so happy and proud that so many young men would get the chance to play on a great field. His legacy will live on. RIP Coach.

Please post the visitation and arrangements when they become available. I had heard that visitation will be Sunday from 5-8 at the High School, but I am waiting on confirmation of that. Thanks!

Gary Ishmael

 

(February 7, 1957 - January 6, 2012)

 

Gary R. Ishmael

54, of Flemingsburg passed Friday morning January 6, 2011 unexpectedly at Fleming County Hospital. He was born February 7, 1957 in Ayer Massachusetts to Lloyd "Dick" Ishmael and the late Fumiko "Toni" Ishmael. Gary worked at Toyota in Georgetown, KY as a team member for over 25 years.

 

Gary was well known around the region and state as an outstanding baseball and football coach. He had coached small fry football in Fleming County for over 20 years, and worked with the middle school football team for several years. His pride and joy was his Cobra baseball team that he traveled with every summer for 15 years, mentoring and coaching many young men from the area. He was the first baseball coach at the middle school when the team started back several years ago. He had coached girls softball and was on the "Chain Gang" every Friday night at the high school for a decade. Gary attended New Creation Praise and Worship Church.

 

Survivors include his wife of 35 years Linda Grannis Ishmael

 

Children: Michael Sean Ishmael, Joseph Allen (Sheena) Ishmael, Kimberly Rae Ishmael, & Desmond Christian McAdams

 

Siblings: Bill ( Lynn) Ishmael, Michael Vernon (Penny) Ishmael, and Nancy (Tony) Gregory

 

Father: Lloyd "Dick" (Molly Bacot) Ishmael

 

Several Nieces & Nephews

 

Funeral services will be 11 AM Monday, January 9, 2011 at Fleming County High School. Visitation will be after 5 PM Sunday at the High School. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gary Ishmael Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Peoples Bank. Arrangements are under the direction of Boone - Nickell Funeral Home.

This is sad to hear. Coach Ishmael was not only a great mentor and coach but an even better person. What he has done for baseball players across the state is remarkable. Prayers go out to the family and friends from the Harrison County baseball community.

Gary was a class act...he will be missed.

What a shock!! He did a great job with that Cobras team. He will be missed.

I coached against Gary and my youngest son played for Gary for 2 years with the Cobra's and he was nothing but a positive role model. Prayers to his wife, family and friends from the Hilltop in Harrison County.

He will greatly missed by many, RIP.