OPELOUSAS – Funeral service for Mr. Milton “Coach” will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Mohorn Baptist Church, 219 Cosay Rd., Opelousas, LA (Plaisance Community). Interment will be held in Bellevue Memorial Park in the Bellevue Community.

Rev. Nicholas Thomas, Pastor of Mohorn Baptist Church, will be officiating the funeral service.

Milton Leon Ambres was born on May 3, 1941 to the late Jasper and Willie Mae Johnson Ambres. He grew up in the Morrow Community. Milton “Coach” slept peacefully on Saturday morning, May 2, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette, Louisiana. Milton accepted Christ at an early age at the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church (Burns Community) under the leadership of Rev. W. A. White.

Milton attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in Morrow, Louisiana. He later went on to pursue higher education at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, plus 30. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Milton enlisted in 1964, serving his country with an honorable discharge in 1967 with the United States Army.

Milton married on June 21, 1964 his college sweetheart, Margie Nell Alfred. To this union, they were blessed with a daughter, Shonitha, and a son, Kevin Ambres.

Milton later joined in holy matrimony to Carol Ware (now deceased). To this union, they were blessed with a bouncy baby boy, Mildon Ray Ambres. They also shared the honor of caring for Paul Ware. He assisted in the responsibility of sharing love and care for his nephew, Delvin D. Rideau, after the passing of his sister, Vester Ambres (1976).

Milton received employment with the Avoyelles Parish School System in Marksville, Louisiana as a teacher and a basketball coach. He later received employment with St. Landry Parish, allowing him to return to his hometown and work at Morrow High School. At Morrow High School, he coached basketball and track, inspiring the lives of many high school students. He was proud to know that many served the Lord, becoming ministers, deacons, and ushers. He served as Principal at North Central High School, Lebeau, Louisiana.

Milton retired from the St. Landry School System. However, his heart was yearning to continue to serve and be a voice for the children and parents of the community of Opelousas, Louisiana. He was elected with eagerness to serve in St. Landry Parish School System, as District #3 school board member, until his demise. Milton provided services for many years with Ford and Joseph Funeral Home.

Milton leaves precious memories with survivors: Shonitha (Ross) Bowie, Kevin Ambres, Mildon (Dana) Ambres, Paul Ware, bonus son—Delvin (Tara) Rideau; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, a sister, Vera Sloan of Houston, Texas, a godchild, Lazonya Sweazie Moore, a bonus/cousin sister, Ester Scott Bazile, along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, other dear relatives and friends.

Milton is preceded in death by his parents, Jasper and Willie Mae Ambres, one brother, Darol Glynn Tibbs, and sister, Vester Ambres, and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 9,2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Mohorn Baptist Church.

Words of condolences may be expressed at fordandjosephfh.com

Ford and Joseph Funeral Home, 907 N. Market St., Opelousas, LA, (337) 942-6750, is in charge of arrangements.