Louis Calvin Gareis, Jr.

Louis Calvin Gareis, Jr., 82, of Cayce, South Carolina, passed away June 30, 2024. He was born December 6, 1941 in Baltimore, MD to Dr. Louis Calvin Gareis, Sr. and Edna Cecilia Gareis (Nester). He graduated from City College in December 1959 where he was a three year varsity letter winner playing center on the football team.

In 1973 he married Lillian, his loving wife of 50 years and they shared a true love story. They were married in New Jersey where they made their home and blended their family. Lou and Lillian were together in everything they did and she was by his side holding his hand as he walked into the arms of Jesus on Sunday night.

Lou, as he was known at work, was employed by Bethlehem Steel, Coca Cola, Sparrows Point, GM and DuPont Chambers Works, where he worked for 30 years. In 1992, he retired from DuPont and moved to South Carolina where he found his true calling.

Coach Lou, as he would be called from this point forward, was a coach and mentor to hundreds of girls who passed through the doors of his business, Grease Lightning Fastpitch Academy for pitching lessons. Coach Lou’s youngest pitchers graduated from college just a few weeks ago. He was honored in December 2023 by being inducted into the USA Softball Hall of Fame for his contribution to the growth of Womens Fastpitch softball. He was proud to have coached nearly 50 state champions,  several national champions, helped nearly 200 girls receive college scholarships and had too many all star selections to count. A true pioneer, he loved the sport, his pitchers and their families.

He was a proud father of children Carol Eckerl (Mark), Louis Gareis III (predeceased), Linda Dodge (Trevor), Jimmy Peterson (Ruth), Joey Peterson (predeceased), Tony Peterson, and Darlene Truesdale (Trey).  He was like a dad to many including Tami Thomas and Stephanie Spears.

Calvin, as he was called by family, was blessed with 13 grandchildren Lindsey, Meghan, Mark, Amber, Lou, Nicholas, Nicole, Carrie, Cherish, Michael, Joey, and twins Haley and Tracy and 8 great grandchildren.

Calvin was the eldest of 5 siblings, John Gareis (Dolores), Henry Gareis (Lois), and twin sisters Margie McLain, (Gino) and Barbara Still (Bob) who were born on his 12th birthday. He loved his sibling-in-laws Judy Patrick (predeceased), Harry Johnson (Mary), Charles Johnson (Sue) and Missy Perry (Richard) who he played a part in raising and his bonus sister Darlene Dillon. He also had many nieces and nephews he loved and who loved him dearly.

He will be missed terribly by many, but the legacy he left behind will live for generations to come through his family and his softball family.