“Coach” Weldon LaVerne “Jake” Gibbs, 82, passed from this life at his home on Thursday, January 18th, 2024. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 27th, at Austin and Bell Funeral Home in Springfield from 2-6pm, and again on Sunday, January 28th, from 1-3pm with a Celebration of Life service beginning at 3 pm.
Jake was born January 28th,1941, to the late Willie Norris and Mildred Alva “Ted” Gibbs in Ashland City, TN. He was a graduate of Cheatham County Central High School where he played football and basketball. He continued his basketball career at Tennessee Tech for 1 year before entering the United States Air Force where he proudly served for several years. Following his service he finished his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Austin Peay State University.
Jake married the love of his life, Barbara Eckert Gibbs, on June 5th, 1965. They raised three beautiful daughters Becky, Hillary, and Amber.
He was known as an avid hunter, fisherman, and sportsman who served as a game warden before pursuing a career in education. Jake taught Hunter Safety Courses for many years at Greenbrier High School. He was also an educator, administrator, and coach for many years with tenures at Jo Byrns High School, Houston County High School, and both Greenbrier High and Middle School. Jake earned the nickname “Coach” by mentoring hundreds of young ladies and men in various sports during his career, with his longest tenure being 1979-1993 coaching Girls Basketball while garnering a record of 322 wins and 99 losses. The highlight of his career was coaching his three daughters during this time. In 2016 Jake was inducted into the Greenbrier Athletics Hall of Fame both as coach and administrator.
Jake was an exceptional storyteller and conversationalist. His favorite topic was his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He passed down his many interests by teaching and coaching them. He was their biggest supporter and could always be found bragging about them in the checkout lane of any grocery store.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Eckert Gibbs, his brother, DV Albritton, and his grandchild Samuel Crockett Holman.
Coach Gibbs is survived by his brother, Gary (Becky) Scott, daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Kevin LeGate of Nashville, Hillary and Joe Craig of Greenbrier, and Amber and Joe Seeley of Russellville, KY, by his grandchildren, Taylor (Blake) Hollis, Faith (Jacob) Lisemby, Savannah LeGate, Anna Beth Craig, Laura Seeley, Jessie Seeley, Caleb Craig, Ridge Holman, and Hank Seeley, and great grandchild, Banks Hollis, as well as honorary grandchildren, Cecilia Crutcher Quintero, Thomas “Bubba” Crutcher, and Adam Crutcher.
In Lieu of flowers If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to: Greenbrier High School Sports Hall of Fame, Greenbrier High School, Attention Clint Mason, 126 Cuniff Drive, Greenbrier, TN 37073
