James Allen “Coach” Tribbett, 65, of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at Crawfordsville, in the presence of his wife, son and best friend.
Coach was born to John Owen Tribbett and Emma Lou Gregory Tribbett on March 28, 1954, at Crawfordsville. They preceded him in death as did his brother, John Robert, and sister Janet Sue.
He graduated from Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, Florida, where he attended on a basketball scholarship. He received his bachelor of science degree from Florida State University and his master’s degree from Depauw University.
He married Sally Francis Tribbett, also from Crawfordsville, in Hamilton, Bermuda on July 6, 1991. She survives. Also surviving is son John Francis Tribbett.
Coach leaves behind hundreds of devoted basketball players, teammates, coaches, as well as brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, an aunt and many cousins.
His passion was “all hoops.” He coached basketball for 35 years at every level from high school to professional. He began his coaching career at Wabash College as an assistant and retired while at DME Academy in Daytona, Florida.
He ran countless basketball camps for boys and girls of all ages. He was inducted into the Montgomery County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He was voted National Coach of the Year two times (2008 and 2010) while at Chowan University, North Carolina. He also earned Executive of the Year in the United States Basketball League.
A celebration of life will be held at 1p.m. Saturday,
Nov. 9 in the old Crawfordsville gymnasium, with calling one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to “Limbs for Life Foundation.”
Online condolences may be left at www.huntandson.com.
