When Ronald Stump and Ronnie Thompson were coaching, it was a “known record” that coaches don’t coach their own kids, Thompson said.

“Ron coached four of them,” said Thompson, the former Thomas Jefferson and Memorial head football coach. “All four kids were terrific.”

Stump, a longtime assistant coach in the Port Arthur and Nederland ISDs, died Saturday at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont. He was 86.

Two of Stump’s sons, Cris and Craig, went on to become head coaches. Cris Stump coached Bridge City from 2007-14, and Craig is in his 14th season overall and seventh at Atascocita.

Thompson, who led Jefferson to a 5A state runner-up finish in 1980 (with Ronald Stump as an assistant) and coached Memorial from 2006-08, said Ronald Stump had an ability to make players better without using a loud voice.

“He was not a hollerer or screamer,” Thompson said. “He would get inside your mind to get something straight. He could get a lot done talking like we are. Just a wonderful guy.”

Born in Oklahoma City, the elder Stump grew up in a state where passing was uncommon in high school football. But son Ron was a standout two-way player at Jefferson as quarterback and safety, Thompson said, and Craig went on to success at Texas A&M, where he won three straight Southwest Conference titles between 1985-87. Craig served as West Brook’s head coach between 2005-11 before going to Atascocita.

Another of Ronald’s sons, Don Stump, was selected first-team All-Southland Conference as a placekicker four times and led McNeese State to an unbeaten regular season and an appearance in the 1979 Independence Bowl.

A Navy veteran, Ronald Stump is also survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally Stump of Port Arthur, sister Virginia Turvey of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and 12 grandchildren.