Douglas George LeBrun, 74, a long-time educator and coach went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 9, in Helena due to an aneurysm. He was born in Ronan, Montana , in 1936.
From the time he was young, Doug had a passion for sports. This interest paid off after he graduated from Ronan High School, when he attended the University of Montana on a baseball scholarship.
After graduating from the UM, Doug first taught and coached at Judith Gap, thus the beginnings of an illustrious coaching career. During his 10 years as a football, basketball and track coach at Lewistown’s St. Leo’s High, his teams captured eight conference titles.
When Doug moved to Helena, his love for pole vaulting blossomed. As an HHS track assistant during four decades, he mentored 14 state champions and two state record holders, while operating a nationally renowned summer pole vault camp at his ranch in the Helena Valley.
He became a nationally prominent figure in the vaulting community, and befriended many of the sport’s greatest athletes and coaches. “Doug will be greatly missed, he was a big part of Helena’s pole vault success,” Olympian Stacy Dragila wrote, upon hearing of his passing. “He was a great friend with a big smile.”
Doug was a member of the Montana Coach’s Association Hall of Fame and had recently been elected to the Helena Sports Hall of Fame.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Louis F. and Alice V. LeBrun, his Aunt Louise Grund, and brothers, Eugene and Ted LeBrun. He is survived by his brother, Walter LeBrun (Elliston) and sister, Martha Haverkamp (Joliet), numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews.
Viewing hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 14 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 14 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 15th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Burial will be 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Ronan Cemetery in Ronan. Memorials in Doug’s name are suggested to any youth sports organization of the donor’s choice or to Our Lady of the Valley Youth Ministry. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
aaron arneson says
Doug ,old man, you have touch so many people in your life. Helped not only the young athletes but their parents as well. Your sense of humor and fair play made made it easy to be with you, to want to help you with the kids that you helped to grow on and off the field.Your heart and home were always open. Thankyou you will be missed by us Aaron,Jane,Mariah,Marisa Arneson
Amy Brooks says
Thank you Mr. LeBrun for always putting a smile on my face and for all of your support and guidance. You will truly be missed by all. Thanks “Old Man!”
Beth lewis says
Coach LeBrun was an amazing gift to all who knew him. I will always remember him yelling “holi Geddis!” as you ran the track….he always had a warm smile and a hug when I saw him…even after all these years, he remembered me and mad me feel special. He was a special, special man. My prayers are with hi family.
Braelynne Johnson says
Old Man, I am sorry I couldn’t make it home to honor you at the vigil. I will truly miss you hollering “Hey Speedy!”, with witty comments followed by your beaming smile and giddy, boisterous laughter. You made track season eventful and fun, and always knew what to say to calm me down before the big race. You always wanted to try and get me on to the pole vault pit, and I’m sorry we never did. Thank you for being such a positive light to those around you, from my mother in 1988, to me in 2010. You were single-handedly capable of bringing people together just in the spirit of competition. You were an amazing coach and an even greater person, and I know your heart will live on to be a model for those in the Helena community. Thank you for the undoubtedly countless blessings you left behind for us. I love you Old Man.
Dale and Carol Adams says
I was so saddened to see the passing of Doug. I have memories of him practicing football in our back yard in Lewistown.
Our condolences are sent to all of the family especially the Haverkamps
Dan and Pat Hodge says
We are sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. He was a great coach and a wonderful person with a huge smile. It was apparent that he loved his time on the track with “his” pole vaulters. Our thoughts and prayers go to all of Doug’s family. We will miss your smile and your jokes “old man.”
David says
David Gans says
I am saddened to learn of Doug’s passing. Thankfully I had a chance to visit with him last September after not seeing him for years. He was a major influence to all the students and athletes whose lives he touched. My condolences to his family.
Debbie Evans Whipple says
My sincere condolences to the family of Coach LeBrun. He touched so many lives as a teacher and a coach. He asked simply that you listen and do your best. There were many erasers that flew in biology at St. Leos, ears that needed gnawed and shoulders that needed big hugs. He remains in the fabric of what my life has become because he truly cared. Rest in peace, Coach.
Gale Decker says
I am saddened by the news of Doug’s passing. I first met Coach as a young boy in Ronan and he coached our Babe Ruth baseball team. He always had a big smile and encouraging words. I saw him several times in later years and Ronan and he was always the same, big smile and a warm heart.
Greg Mohl, Ginny, Jeff, and Sami says
Doug will forever be in our hearts and minds. He was a special friend and coach.
If there is anything we can do please do not hesitate to ask
Heather Johnstone says
I feel so blessed that my son and I were able to attend Doug’s vault camp. He was full of ideas/information, willing to share his knowledge, and passionate about the sport. His legend will live on in the countless number of athletes and coaches he influenced throughout his life.
Henry & Susanna Normandeau says
Dear Friends,
We are so very sad to learn about your loss. We will always remember doug as a very caring, fine man.
May God bless you and keep you all during this difficult time.
Henry & Susanna
Jim Longin says
To the family of my friend, Doug LeBrun:
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the passing of our beloved, Doug. I had known Doug for some 50 years and had always admired his love and commitment to our youth. I pray for him and thank God for having allowed me to know him. He has been a forwever friend. May he rest in peace.
Johanna Mellinger says
A big hole exists in the pole vaulting world with the passing of this great man.
I had the pleasure of traveling once to Reno with Doug and a car load of vaulters – one of them my daughter. Doug was her behind the scenes coach for 5 years. Helped her to 3 State titles in Class C. Always enjoyed our visits. Doug was always available to offer a helping hand to the kids. We’ll miss you coach!
John Evans says
Doug was part of our extended family at St. Leo’s and after my father’s passing, he was the one who put up the basketball hoop in the driveway and was there to tutor my siblings on the finer points of physics. I have fond memories of the old cracker box gym, locker room, football field and track, where Doug held court for many years. His actions and coaching style reflected his passion for all things althetic. I once took a basketball on the chin in 7th grade for talking when I should have be listening. Message recieved. He later took me out for a rum hot-n-tot. I will alway remember Doug for his goofy phrases like “Holy Geidus”. May God bless you.
Kevin McEwen says
Sorry to hear of Coaches passing. He was a inspiration and “menace” to those of us he coached and taught. Nobody worked harder and did more for kids than Doug.
Lanny Fred says
“Heavens to Mergatroid” or “Holy Geddis” were a couple of Doug’s expressions. I don’t ever remember hearing him swear in all the 38 years I knew him. Not that he wouldn’t get excited once in awhile, but throughout, Doug was truly a fine and good man. When we hired Doug out of Lewistown in 1973 to teach and coach at Helena Junior High School, we needed someone who could teach physical education but also coach a number of sports, and Doug was able to do that. The remaining almost 40 years speak for themselves as Doug earned the respect, admiration and love of so many of his students, athletes and others. My wife, Sharon, and I are the track and Field commissioners for the Big Sky State Games. It’s always a challenge to find event judges to come to Billings in the middle of the summer. One person we could always count on was Doug LeBrun. Doug would not only run the pole vault for us but he would bring a number of Helena young men and women to compete in the event. Other vaulters and coaches from around the state would enter because Doug was going to be there. It feels empty already knowing Doug will not be with us this summer at the BSSG. We will truly miss him in that regard and as a friend.
Louie Sharp says
Doug LeBrun could very well be the best man I have ever known. He lived his life by the same standards and principals that taught his students and atheletes. He dedicated his life to the youth of his profession.
“Doug thankyou for your guidance at a time in my life when I needed discipline and direction. You gave me the self confidence and self esteem that I still carry with me today. You will always be an inspiration to me and I will not let my memory of you and my graditude to you ever fade. Thankyou Coach”.
Luanne Smith says
We will sure miss Doug! We were hoping to have a 75th birthday party for him this year, since I actually knew his age thanks to a nephew we had dinner with at Golden Corral in Missoula one time. I did finally tell him how I knew his age- for the last 4 years.
Mac Vosbeck says
Doug, thank you for being a friend and hunting buddy. I really enjoyed the day bowhunting that we had together this Fall, even if we didn’t get anything it was a great day in the outdoors with you. Thank you for being my daughters, Erika and Megan’s Pole Vault Coach at HHS. Carol & I will miss your smile and excitement for life, sport, and the youth of Helena. Go Bengals! Mac, Carol, Erika & Megan Vosbeck
Marie Anderson says
I first became acquainted with Coach LeBrun when he taught sophomore biology at St Leo’s School. Over the years we became friends and his friendship extended to my family. When my parents, grandparents, and uncle died, Doug was there to offer his condolences in person. It is with heart felt sympathy that I now offer my condolence to his family.
Ralph and Lynn Guay says
Doug was a fine man with a ready Hug whenever we met. I’ll miss that real smile!
Rich Landers says
Perhaps no coach has devoted more time, energy, enthusiasm and personal resources to his teams than Doug. He took kids who might have shied away from a game of hopscotch and whipped them into shape for slots on his famous two-platoon eight-man championship football team dynasty at St. Leo’s. Lacking money for a weight room, he built a circuit of “Exer-Genie” stations in our locker room. Lacking a track and field training facility, he rounded up help from a couple of farmer and built one in the vacant lot next to the school. He’s an inspirational model for applying devotion, sacrifice and integrity to our sports as well as to our lives.
Rita Fah Kuka says
Doug was our coach, biology, physics and chemistry teacher, and friend. I don’t think any one of us S.L. graduates can think of that time without thinking of Doug LeBrun. My sympathy to the family.
St. Leo’s Class of 1972
Ron Iverson says
It was more than a pleasure to have known Doug for nearly forty years. He was a highly principled and ethical man, of a serious nature, but always had the big smile, was quick to laugh, and enjoyed giving a pat on the back. His legacy and spirit will live on with the thousands of young people he taught and coached. What a guy, the world will be missing this fine man. Ron Iverson
Shauna Longmire says
Mr. LeBrun was my gym teacher my Freshman year. He was a great teacher and a wonderful friend. When I was playing softball, Mr. LeBrun always made time to tape up my ankles so I didn’t hurt them any worse than I already had! I feel very forunate to have been his student and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the Lord give you strength, peace, and comfort. God Bless!!
Stephanie Fantini says
Doug was one of the “GREATS”. He was an amazing man who was so supportive. Even if you weren’t on his pole vault team he took the time watch you perform and comment… always positive just as he was. Old Man will be missed and even though it’s been 20+ years I have been out of school I will miss going to a track meet and seeing his face and his smile. Thank you for sharing Doug with the world as it is now a better place as he has touched many young peoples lives.
Steve Barela says
We at Idaho Sewing for Sports express our love and condolences. Doug was a great friend and provided us a lot of help. He will be missed!
steve mischke says
Doug was one of a kind…..he must have coached/mentored at least a million young people across the west/northwestern part of America. He will be missed by all of those of the past and those of the future.
Terry Lankutis says
What a living legacy. I can’t imagine what it is like to have touched so many people’s lives in such a deep way.
I have many fond memories of “Mr. LeBrun” teaching biology, coaching, and teaching PE at St. Leo’s. Who else would take a bunch of catholic girls in the 70’s and teach us to play football?
I am grateful that such a man was part of my life.
My love and prayers to the family.
Toby Erickson says
You know Old Man, I’m gonna miss seeing you and listening to your jokes and wonderful stories, but I’ll tell you what, I will celebrate your life every chance I get whether that’d be by telling my own stories, or helping other kids be a better person, You truly inspire me to coach and I have learned a lot from you! Save me a seat up in heaven so we can share some more stories. Take care.
John F Nehus says
Coach, looking back I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for you to perform at the level that you did throughout my high school years. Just coordinating a trip to Stanford or much worse yet, Miles City, must have been so hard. Thank you so much for investing the amount of time that you did with me during the period of 1964-68. God Bless you.