Mr. Herman Boone

October 28, 1935 - December 18, 2019

Remembering Our Beloved Titan Herman Boone was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, educator, mentor, coach, and true symbol of social justice. Affectionately known as ‘Ike,’ he was the tenth of twelve children born to the union of the late William and Daisy Boone on October 28, 1935. Herman graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Rocky Mount, N.C., in 1954. His never-ending quest for knowledge led him to pursue his post-secondary education at North Carolina College, where he majored in physical education and biology. In the spring of 1958, Herman was initiated into the Tau Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. before graduating with both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree. In 1958, Herman eagerly took on the privilege of nurturing young minds by accepting his first teaching job at Luther H. Foster High School in Blackstone, Virginia, where he taught physical education and coached football, baseball, and basketball. His teams excelled on the field, earning three district championships. While at Foster HS, Herman met the love of his life, Carol Luck. He fondly recalls the first day he heard her high heels clicking as she walked down the hallway with purpose. He instantly proclaimed, “That will be the mother of my children.” They were married on July 21,1962, in New York City. Herman returned to North Carolina to accept a teaching and coaching position at E.J. Hayes High School in Williamston. During a nine year period, his football teams achieved an admirable record of 99 wins and 8 losses. The 1966 E.J. Hayes Tigers, under his leadership, were recognized as “The Number One Football Team in America” by Scholastic Coach Magazine. In 1971, Herman was appointed head coach of the T.C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Va., the same year all three high schools in Alexandria were consolidated. Herman and his coaching staff were able to solidify a group of unfocused young men and lead them to become the most powerful football team in the state of Virginia in 1971. They finished their season with an unblemished 13-0 record, won the state championship, and advanced to the national championship, resulting in their status as the number two team in the nation. The willingness of these young men to overcome racial tension by learning to talk to each other, along with their determination to win, brought together a city torn apart by prejudice and hatred. In December 1971, President Richard M. Nixon was quoted as saying, “The team saved the city of Alexandria.” The accomplishments of this great team were memorialized in the Disney film Remember the Titans in 2000 where Herman was portrayed by Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington in the movie. Herman often joked that he was the only person better looking than Denzel. Herman was a relentless advocate for students and social justice. For more than 40 years he gave his time and efforts to serve various civil rights organizations such as the Urban League of Northern Virginia and the NAACP, in turn becoming a key figure for the civil rights movement in Alexandria and fulfilling his goal, “To be an agent of change for all people.” He worked alongside some of Alexandria’s great Civil Rights leaders such as Ferdinand Day, Nelson Green, Sr., Ira Robinson, and Melvin Miller, to name a few. His talents and interests were many, including boating as a member of the Washington Yacht Club, golfing, watching his beloved Redskins, and sharing laughs with friends and family. After his time in education, and boosted by the success of Remember the Titans, Herman traveled the country for years, inspiring countless audiences as a highly sought-after public speaker by addressing topics such as leadership, teamwork, diversity, communication, and respect. Thanks to his influence and inspiration, Herman earned a number of honors and awards, including the 2011 Washington Football Legends Award, the 2016 Living Legends of Alexandria Award and induction into both the North Carolina Central University and Alexandria City Public Schools Athletic Halls of Fame. In 2008, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl asked Herman to serve as an honorary coach for the game and — to further recognize his legacy as a high school football coach — announced that the winning team would be presented with the Herman Boone Trophy. Herman fell asleep in death on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Herman was preceded in death by his parents, William and Daisy Boone; his beautiful wife of 57 years, Carol L. Boone, his loving daughter, Donna Maria Dulany; eight brothers: William Boone (Edith), Roland Boone, Frank Boone (Yvonne), Frederick D. Boone (Beatrice), James Milton Boone, Herbert Boone, Thurman Boone; Rudolph Boone; three sisters: Barbara Boone (Kurt), Mary Boone Lewis (Scott), Alice Boone Cole and a special cousin, Annie Mae Lucas. Herman leaves to cherish his memory two daughters: Sharon Henderson (Anthony), Monica Merritt (Darron); six grandchildren: Camri Pearson (Raynan), Kiara Johnson, Mackenzie Merritt, Lauren Dulany, Myles Merritt and William Dulany; two great-granddaughters: Kh’ayr and Raiva; five sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, special grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and a host of loving friends.