Rev. John D. Deatrick ’55, former chaplain and baseball coach, dies at 91

Rev. John D. Deatrick, a Bellarmine alumnus who had served in the past as the university's chaplain and head baseball coach, died Nov. 2, 2024. He was 91. His obituary is posted here.

"Fr. Deatrick was a foundational figure at Bellarmine University who mentored and supported countless students," Bellarmine President Susan M. Donovan said. "His memory will live on through the lives and service of those students, and students he never even met will also continue his legacy through several generous endowed funds that he established at his alma mater."

Most recently, he had made endowment gifts that will establish the Rev. John D. Deatrick Center for Campus Ministry and the Rev. John D. Deatrick '55 Knights Food Pantry. Bellarmine will honor and celebrate his legacy at a dedication ceremony to be held soon.

Fr. Deatrick also helped to establish two endowed scholarships. In 2014, he joined Al Burke '72 and Mary Jo Burke '74/'84 in funding a scholarship that provides financial assistance to a full-time student who demonstrates need, with preference given to Bellarmine baseball players. Fr. Deatrick had coached Al Burke on the Bellarmine baseball team and officiated at Al and Mary Jo Burke's wedding in 1973.

In 2019, he established the Fr. John D. Deatrick '55 Endowed Scholarship, which is available to a full-time undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need.

Born in Louisville, Fr. Deatrick attended Saint Columba Elementary School, Flaget High School and Bellarmine College, where he played outfield for the Knights baseball team and was a member of the track and field team. He received his diploma in 1955 as a member of the college's second graduating class, then served in the U.S. Army from 1956-58.

He attended Saint Maur's Seminary in South Union, Ky, for major seminary and was ordained a priest on May 14, 1966. He later earned a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Spalding University.

Following ordination, Fr. Deatrick returned to Bellarmine in 1968 as the school's chaplain. He became head baseball coach in 1970, a position he held through 1974. He led the Knights to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1973 and coached a career 110 wins and 58 losses.

He has said that some of the real ministry he did at Bellarmine was on the baseball field. That ministry spread as many of his players went on to become coaches themselves, for high school, college or youth-league teams.

Fr. Deatrick was named Bellarmine University's Alumnus of the Year in 1980, and in 2005, he was inducted into the Bellarmine Athletic Hall of Fame in the "Legends" category.

Fr. Deatrick was also the chaplain at St. Xavier High School for 13 years and had been chaplain for the Knights of Columbus since 1977. He served as a chaplain for the State of Kentucky from 1994-96 and as an auxiliary chaplain for the Louisville Metro Police from 1990-2010.

He was pastor for Holy Family and St. Martha churches and served as a senior associate pastor for St. Martha after retiring from active ministry in 2004.