Douglas William Shanks "Coach," (76) of Brandon, Mississippi passed away due to complications from chemo toxicity on Sept 4, 2023, surrounded by family and friends.

Doug was born in Soso, to Fred and Frances Shanks of Taylorsville, on Oct 25, 1946.  He grew up in Gulfport and Jackson, graduating from Provine High School.  He attended MSU and later graduated from Liberty University.  He began a master's degree at MC, researching the life of Samuel Beadle, the first African American lawyer in Mississippi.

If you knew Coach, the phrase "quite the character," would be an understatement.  He lived a full and varied life.  His son-in-law John Wallace told him a few days back, "Coach, you have lived the biggest life I know."

Beginning in his twenties, he was involved in politics in Jackson, becoming the first Republican City Commissioner of Jackson in 1973.  As Commissioner, he was over the fire dept, police dept, and sanitation.  He brought many African Americans on to work in the different city departments.  The city was run so well at the time that the LAPD would come to train under the JPD.  In 1976, Doug ran the Mississippi campaign for President Gerald Ford.

His real passion was baseball, and he lived and breathed it till the end!  He brought the Mets to Jackson while he was the Commissioner, helping to establish Smith-Wills Stadium.  He coached in Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, and American legion ball.  He started and coached the Jackson 96's.  Later, he became the head baseball coach at Mississippi Valley State for 15 years.  He recruited players from the Virgin Islands to Canada, giving chances to those often overlooked.  He sent many young men to college on scholarships through his nationwide contacts in the coaching community.  He never hung up his cleats, he continued coaching high school ball, most recently as a pitching coach at Hartfield Academy.

In his desk, we found a handwritten list of his of his 9 pallbearers laid out like a starting line-up.  His legacy is the investment he made in so many young men which went beyond the baseball field, as well as, his impact on his home team (family and friends) of which he was so proud.

Doug is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kay, his four children, Fred Shanks (Kristen), Sim Shanks (Missy), Sarah Fedele (David), Hannah Wallace (John).  His grandchildren Phinehas Fedele, Evangeline Fedele, Ivy Wallace, Asher Shanks, Benjamin Fedele, ZZ Wallace, Sawyer Shanks, Sicily Fedele, Silas Fedele.  And his bonus family Barry, Tiffany and Izzy Vaughn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Frances Shanks, his nephew Cliff Shanks, and his sister Kay Gray.

The funeral service will be held at Brandon Baptist Church on Monday Sept 11, 2023 at 1:00pm with a reception to follow at The Vault Venue in Brandon.