Saying Thank You for High School Coaches
Another of My High School Coaches Has Ended His Earthly Journey
In what seems like only a few months, several of the high school coaches I was
privileged to have played ball under have passed on to their eternal homes. Each time that I have learned of the death of one of these men, I have been torn. On the one hand I have felt sorrow at the end of an earthly life characterized by service to young men. On the other hand I have found myself being thankful to the Lord for the leadership these men provided for this particular athlete.
The life lessons and the Christian examples are too numerous to mention or to even recall. But what an impact these men had in my life. They were men who taught me about the best sports has to offer. They encouraged me when life came on fast for a teenage husband and father. They graciously corrected me when I often needed it.
I didn’t live long in my hometown of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. But those few years were formative and I am deeply indebted to those men.
The most recent (February 2022) to pass was my head baseball coach, Derald Buckley. Thank you, Coach Buckley.
In December 2021 my head football coach, Art Davis, went to be with the Lord. What a strong but gentle man.
In September of 2021 my head basketball coach, Ray Reins, left this world.
Although I did not wrestle, Steve Shibley was an ever present coach at Sapulpa. He passed last month (January 2022).
In June 2021, Johnny Richardson passed away. Although he was an assistant coach on the defensive side of the football, he always encouraged this quarterback to excel.
Both of my summer basketball coaches, Steve Tucker and Mark Tucker (brothers) have gone to be with the Lord. Mark In October 2021.
Sapulpa High School has lost six former coaches in the past eight months. The number of lives impacted and the stories that could be told are many.
In a day in which sports are often in the news in a negative way, I am beyond thankful for these men. If you are a coach of athletes, I hope you view your role as more than prepping players for the next game. You can positively effect your players far beyond the ball field. These men’s lives bear witness to that.
If you are a Christian coach, how much more can you impact young men and women, perhaps into eternity.
I’m also reminded to pray for the two living coaches who greatly impacted my life - Jim Stockard, my position football coach at Sapulpa and for Kenneth Mcneely, my head football coach at Aviano American High School. Gentlemen, it’s not your turn.
I hope all of my information is correct. If not, let me know. I am deeply indebted to my former wide receiver at Sapulpa, Terry Holbrook for keeping us informed of these events.