The final whistle has blown for Coach Roger Dale Loring of Hayes, former Basketball Coach at Gloucester High School, who died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. He was 79. Coach Loring was a native of Keokuk, Iowa, born to the late George and Helen Loring, and graduated from Keokuk High School in 1964. Continuing his education with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa, he joined the Teacher Corps, moved to Virginia, where he earned a Master’s Degree from Hampton Institute in 1971. Roger accepted a recreational supervisor position in Chicago for a short time before returning to Virginia to the Gloucester County School System, teaching and coaching basketball, and retiring after 32 years of commitment. After retirement, he became an active member of the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Samaritan Group, the Board of Social Services, and the Library Board of Trustees, and as past president of the Gloucester County Friends of the Library. During his free time, he wrote three humor books. Coach Loring traded his whistle for his golf clubs at every opportunity and considered it a good day if he didn’t hurt anyone. He loved to laugh, being with friends and family, but no one held his heart more than his wife, Lana, who preceded him in death. She was the ultimate teammate and the true love of his life. Siblings, Joan Roan, Judy Loring, Crick Loring, Richard Loring, Larry Loring, and nephew, Rick Loring, preceded him in death. He is survived by nephews, George Loring, Jeff Loring, and Scott Loring; nieces, Judy Bailey and Jamie Arneson; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Loring and Bonnie Miller; brother-in-law, Dick Ambrosius (Sue), and special friends, Don and Eva Mullins. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Bethany United Methodist Church, where Coach Loring and Lana were members. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lana Loring Teacher Fund, payable to Abingdon Elementary School, 7087 Powhatan Drive, Hayes, Va. 23072, or Gloucester County Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 1392, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

John Wooden said it best: “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.