Allan John Andersen

Allan John Andersen, 71, passed away peacefully at home from diabetes complications in Sulphur, Louisiana on May 1, 2026. Allan had recently retired as Aquatic Director at Spartan Swimming, the premier competitive swim team in the Sulphur area. Allan had launched Spartan Swimming in 2008. Under his uniquely inspired leadership, the organization has made an indelible impact on the community and countless swimmers and families who were drawn in by the program. He will be remembered. He will be missed.

Allan’s decision to call the club “Spartan” was important to him. A history major, Allan had studied the Spartans, and their values resonated. They believed in choosing the common good above personal glory, choosing a life of austerity and frugality, and living simply and unpretentiously. Allan personified these values – he lived in his small home with minimal technology, no fanfare, and no ego.

Or as his friends/associates put it:

”Allan didn’t make mistakes more than once,”

“His word was his word,”

“Coach Al was always... himself.”

Allan did have some notable quirks - a unique whistle that his swimmers would recognize in an instant, above or below the waterline, a old folding director’s chair that he sat in at EVERY swim meet, a penchant for booking himself and his swimmers into the cheapest motels when traveling (very Spartan), and his wardrobe consisting almost entirely of Hawaiian shirts – 50swimmers/parents wore Hawaiian shirts at his retirement party.

Allan believed in building character through hard work and demanded the best from his swimmers...and they loved him for it, Many of his swimmers moved on to college swimming careers. Allan also taught his swimmers the importance of giving back to the community – at least two of his swimmers became swim coaches. Former swimmers of his were often found visiting Allan where they knew they’d find him, at the pool, rain or shine. He’d ask them to come swim a few laps with him...and they would! As one swimmer said, “we were all his kids”.

Allan also enlisted parents to help run the program. Many became good friends and a generous community came together in support of the team. One parent referred to Allan as “an icon of the area.”

After graduating from Ball State University, Allan coached and taught social studies in Indiana, before heading the Lytal Aquatics program in West Palm Beach FL, where he coached full time and even had his youngest brother Peter on the team. He then headed the swim program at Hargrave Academy in Chatham VA, then on to Yuma AZ for several years, and finally landed in Sulphur. Along the way, Allan collected lifelong friends. He even kept up with his close friends from when he was co-captain of the swim team at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, a swimming powerhouse.

Allan is predeceased by his mother Jeanne Larsen, his father John B Andersen, and his sister Aimee Andersen. He’s survived and missed by siblings Cathie Andersen, Peggy Andersen(Chris Ward), Michael Andersen (Barbara), Larry Andersen, Chris Harrington (John), JohnAndersen Jr. (Rosemary), Peter Andersen (Louise).

Cremation has been entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home of Sulphur.