Fulton Falcons are mourning the loss of teacher and coach Bob Black. Mr. Black died on August 14, 2023, at age 80.
The family will receive friends Saturday, August 19, from 5-7 p.m. at the Fulton High School Auditorium, 2509 N. Broadway in Knoxville. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Tim Parker officiating and eulogies to be offered by Steve Diggs and Jody Wright. Family and friends will meet at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, August 20, for the 1 p.m. graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, 3500 Tazewell Pike.
I learned of the death through a post by coach and retired principal Clark Duncan. He wrote: “Coach Black played a big role mentoring me as a young coach back in the early ’80s. Falcon Nation has lost the greatest Falcon ever!”
Former Halls High coach Gary Shephard soon posted: “Have known coach Black and his son, Rob, since coming to Halls in 1993. Dang good football coach and person, respected by all.”
Former students added comments like, “Coach made us all feel special,” and “he was a role model for me.”
The family requests memorial donations be made to Fulton High School “Athletics” and mailed to Fulton High School at 2509 N. Broadway, Knoxville TN 37917.
Coach Black was honored with membership in several football halls of fame. He played at Fulton High and Carson-Newman College and returned to Fulton to coach in 1965. He stayed at Fulton as teacher, coach and administrator for over 50 years. He met Brenda Thornton while in high school and later they married, devoted to each other for 59 years. His full obituary is here.
Familiar Fulton football faces here: Steve Brewer (head coach, kneeling); Clark Duncan, Tim Connors, Bob Black, Randy Lee and Dickie Sharp.