Ernest Lorenz

Obituary of Ernest LorenzLorenz - Loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, educator and coach ...Ernest H. "Ernie" Lorenz III, 58, of Ocala died January 19, 2010. He was born in Berlin, Germany, July 6, 1951, while his father was stationed there. In 1959, they moved to Clermont, FL. He graduated from Clermont HS in 1969, where he was involved in academics, football, basketball, and track. He was an honor roll student, Class Top Ten, and Beta Club. Ernie entered college at the University of Florida in 1969 and played basketball as a walk-on. He then received a basketball scholarship at UF, and later transferred to Armstrong State in Savannah, Ga. While there, he served as Student Body President & graduated with a degree in History. In 1974, he began his teaching and coaching career at Lake Weir High School. As assistant coach, the 1974-75 basketball team won the first Kingdom of the Sun Tournament and the State Championship. In 1987, he transferred to Wildwood High School where he taught honors classes in social studies, economics, and history. He coached the basketball team of 1989-1990 that won the Regional Championship. He retired from teaching in 2003, after teaching and coaching for thirty years. He is survived by his wife, Christine ("Chris") Lorenz; son, Jason Lorenz; son, Jarrod, and his wife, Rebecca, and granddaughter Sophia Lorenz; stepdaughters, Katie Quinn and Kerin Quinn; sisters Leslie (Tom) Coakley of Aiken, SC; Lisa (Sam) Slaughter of Oxford, FL; and Lila (Bruce Clark) Lorenz of Littleton, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ellen Lorenz Dykehouse; step-father, Ralph Dykehouse; and sister, Linda Lorenz Agee. Ernie fought a long battle with ALS, and actively participated in research studies at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, including allowing Mayo Clinic to use his body for research following his death, hoping this would help improve the lives of others. His sister, Linda, also died of ALS in 2009. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to ALS Center @ Mayo Clinic FL, Pt Care & Research, C/O K. Walsh Dev Ofc., 4500 San Pablo Rd S., Jacksonville, FL 32224. Arrangements are under the care of Roberts Funeral Homes Downtown Chapel. 352-622-4141.

Ernest Lorenz

July 6, 1951 - January 19, 2010