Athletics
Thomas Barnabo, 57
Died November 7, 2020.
Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines, IA
Physical Education, Track Coach
Thomas Maurice Barnabo, age 57, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2020, in his home of West Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on October 26, 1963 in Beloit, Wisconsin to Don and Arloa Barnabo. He was a 1982 graduate of Parker High School in Janesville Wisconsin.
Tom attended Drake University on a full-ride football scholarship and graduated in 1987. Because of his many friends, he bounced around working in many states before landing back in Iowa at Simpson College.
While working at Simpson he met the love of his life, Susan Godby. The two got married and moved to Texas in 1993 where he taught and coached football. Their son Dalton was born in October of that same year, and son Cole in December of 1994.
A few years later the Barnabos moved to West Des Moines, Iowa after Tom accepted an offer to teach and coach at Dowling Catholic High School where he would go on to work for the next 24 years. He was the defensive coordinator when Dowling earned their first back-to-back state football championship title in 2000 and 2001. And most currently the assistant boys track coach.
In 2008, Tom was recruited to assist in coaching the defensive-line and help launch the first football team at Grand View University. Barnabo helped lead the team to many accomplishments, including winning the NAIA Championship in 2013.
Outside of Tom’s passion for football, he was an avid griller, constantly perfecting his craft and cooking for others. The Barnabos loved hosting for friends and family. They spent their summers swimming in their pool, Tom even took his four month old granddaughter for her first swim this summer.
He strongly admired his father and spent a lot of his time visiting him in northern Wisconsin. The two shared a great love for football, and many outdoor activities such as, hunting, fishing and camping.
Tom had a passion for building relationships and long lasting friendships. He gave his all no matter what. He had a friend in every state, and made sure he never met a stranger.
Tom is survived by his wife of over 27 years, Susan, sons, Dalton (Karissa), Cole (Linda) and their daughter Emma, sister, Lana and father, Don. He is also survived by many beloved family members. He was preceded in death by his mother, Arola, older sister, Dana, and older brother, Dante.
Gregory Williams, 51
Died November 25, 2020.
Crooksville High School, Crooksville, OH
Math and Technology, Softball coach
Gregory Neal Williams (PigPen) of Crooksville, Ohio passed away on November 25th, 2020 due to complications of COVID-19. Greg was born on November 23rd,1969 in Zanesville, Ohio. He was an exceptional math teacher at Crooksville High School who was loved by his students and colleagues alike. Greg was a remarkable athlete and sports enthusiast. Though he played all sports equally well, his passion was football. Greg coached high school football and eventually served as Athletic Director for Crooksville Schools. Greg was a loving and devoted father and grandfather. Blessed with three daughters, Greg shifted interests from football to girls’ softball where he coached all three of his daughters and became a strong advocate for girls’ athletics. Greg is survived by his three daughters, Ashlee (Jesse) Munyan, Alyson (Kyle Harkness) Williams, and Alanah Williams, all of Crooksville. He is survived by his parents, Bobi and Gene Harris and his father, Jeff Williams; his paternal grandmother, Martha (Hall) Williams; two brothers, Jeff (Will LaRiccia) Williams and David Williams; two half-sisters, Tara (Johnson) Melvin and Amy (Williams) Alberty; and three grandchildren, Grayson and Abriella Munyan and Scarlett Williams all of Crooksville. He is also survived by his former wife, Tina Williams. Greg is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Neal P. and Faye (Rodgers) Roberts and by paternal grandfather, James Williams, all of Crooksville. Due to the nature of Greg’s passing, we have chosen not to have a public service at this time in hopes to help stop the spread of this virus and prevent a loss of other loved ones. We hope to have a celebration of his life when it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be used towards a college scholarship in Greg’s name to continue his legacy at Crooksville Schools as well as a bench in remembrance of our dad. All donations can be mailed to Alanah Williams at 6180 Number Eight Hollow Road, New Lexington, Ohio, 437 64. Goebel Funeral Home, 36 N. Buckeye St., Crooksville is proud to care for and serve the Williams family.
Kenneth Maddox, 69
Died November 21, 2020.
East Middle School, Great Falls, MT
Science / English Teacher and Coach
Kenneth “Ken” Maddox, 69, of Great Falls, passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020, from a Pulmonary Embolism due to complications of Covid-19.
A visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at O’Connor Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2020, at Manchester Cemetery.
Kenneth Wayne Maddox was born August 18, 1951, the fourth of five children to the late Robert L. and Mamie L. Maddox in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kenneth was affectionately known as “Kenny” or “Ken” by his family and friends.
Ken located to Great Falls in 1975, after graduating with his Bachelors. He then taught in the Great Falls Public School System for over forty years. Ken was a coach and mentor to all and was very giving of his time and had patience with everyone. He always put the needs of others before his own.
He was educated in the public school system and graduated from Robert A. Taft High School in Cincinnati. He attended Knoxville College, and in the fall of 1970, transferred to Montana State University. Ken majored in education and fulfilled his passion of working with children. Ken later achieved his Masters of Education online through MSU.
Ken and Billie met in 1986, at the good ole Gold Rush and on May 27, 1989, they made it official. They were together over 32 years. Although they never had children, he helped raise her children Lea and the late Scott Wetzel. They also raised a grandson, Jake Wetzel since he was the age of 7. Then along came the apple of his eye; KeAynnan “JoJo” Devereaux, who she referred to as “PaPa.”
He received many accomplishments, awards, and honors throughout his lifetime. Ken volunteered his time with various community organizations and programs. Ken was known all over the State of Montana and surrounding areas but made the Great Falls Community his home.
Ken leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Billie Jo Maddox; children, Lea Wetzel of Great Falls, Kennedy Anderson of North Dakota, Khalin (Anni), and baby girl, Anderson of Butte; siblings, Duffie L. (Marilyn) Maddox, Eddie L. Maddox, and Regina (John) Robinson all of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Gregory (JoAnn) Maddox of Covington, Kentucky; grandson, Jacob Wetzel of Missoula, Robert Wetzel of Helena, JoJo, and Lil Keith Devereaux of Great Falls; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and acquaintances.
Ash Friederich, 40
Died October 31, 2020.
Tolleson Union High School, Tolleson, AZ
Football coach
People article:
A beloved assistant coach from an Arizona high school left his community reeling after succumbing to coronavirus complications this weekend.
Ash Friederich of Tolleson High School died on Saturday evening after a bout with the virus, according to ABC affiliate KNXV. The 40-year-old coach had been a part of the school’s community since 2016, when he was hired as an English teacher.
“I don’t know what to say,” Scott Richardson, head baseball coach for Tolleson High, told the news station. “[He was] just your typical sports nut that you could probably just sit next to on any Sunday at a sports bar and just start talking sports.”
Friederich quickly became an assistant coach for girls softball and basketball in 2017, then served as a junior varsity coach for girls softball in 2018. This year, after serving as an assistant coach for freshman baseball, Friederich was named coach for the school’s freshman and sophomore team.
“Ash was the guy that always had a smile on his face,” Richardson told the Arizona Republic. “He played the role of good cop to a T, always there to add an encouraging word or pick up a player after a bad game.”
According to Roy Lopez, who runs the school’s football program, Friederich became sick three weeks ago. Lopez told the Republic that Friederich had taken two coronavirus tests but each came back negative, which he says were ultimately false negatives.
The FDA says false-positive results are possible and may occur for various reasons, such as an antibody test detecting a different coronavirus other than the one causing the current pandemic (SARS-CoV-2).
“He progressively got worse,” Lopez told the Republic. “We had already quarantined. Then, after a few days, he was feeling better.
“He had a high respiratory infection on Friday and was admitted [to the hospital],” he added.
It is unclear whether Friederich had been diagnosed with an underlying condition, which can heighten a person’s risk of serious coronavirus symptoms.
According to a New York Times database, Arizona has experienced 6,022 deaths and 249,822 cases attributed to coronavirus as of Tuesday afternoon.
The country as a whole has seen 231,990 deaths and more than 9.4 million cases.
Greg Rainwater, 51
Died October 17, 2020.
Nettleton Public Schools, Jonesboro, AR
Athletic director
Greg Rainwater, 51, of Jonesboro, went to be with the Lord in the early morning of Saturday, October 17, 2020, at his home. He was born in Rochelle, IL on December 9, 1968 to Amzier and Linda Gail Rainwater.
Greg spent 29 years in education; working first at Maynard, then Riverside before finding his home with Nettleton Public Schools. Throughout his time at Nettleton, Greg served as a girls’ basketball coach; social studies teacher; Athletic Director; and Transportation Director. Greg also served as the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Walcott, AR. However, Greg’s impact stretched far wider than Northeast Arkansas. For two years, he served as the Logistics Coordinator for the International Mission Board in Uganda. After returning to education, he made annual trips to Uganda to continue serving the people of East Africa and spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
Regardless of which vocational hat Greg was wearing, one thing remained constant: he made the world shine a little brighter with his encouraging words, deep and genuine love for others, and quirky one-liners. Throughout his life, he served others without asking for or desiring any praise, however, anyone that had the pleasure of knowing and loving Greg was aware of his servant’s heart. The Kingdom is, without doubt, far greater in numbers due to the life he led.
Greg was preceded in death by his father; Amzier Rainwater. He is survived by his wife, Tammy Smith Rainwater; his daughter Hannah; mother, Linda Rainwater; brothers Joe and Mark; sister, Sheila.