Thomas Coughenour

Thomas Francis Coughenour, aka Coach, 66 of Kingsport TN, passed away peacefully Monday morning at home surrounded by his family.

Born in Charlotte, NC to Catherine and Tom Coughenour, the family moved to Kingsport in 1946.

It was in his Freshman English class where he met the love of his life, Barbara Williams, whom he married in 1962.

A graduate of DBHS and ETSU, he began his teaching and coaching career at Robinson Junior High, coaching football, basketball, track and established the cross-country program there.

In 1973, he began teaching at Dobyns-Bennett coaching football defensive backs and was Assistant Track and Cross Country Coach where he found his passion.

After his friend and mentor Dan Crowe retired, Tom became head Track/CC Coach. In addition to being named Tennessee State Cross Country Coach of the Year six times and inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2001, his Track and Cross Country State and Regional team wins are numerous. It was his great devotion to the heart and soul of his athletes, his beloved family and community that established him as a legendary citizen, friend and Coach.

He is survived by wife Barbara, children Christina and John Taraschke of Fredericksburg, VA, Tad Coughenour and Juan Fernandez of Los Angeles, CA and John Coughenour and Nikita Gearing of Ashland, OR. Grandchildren Adam, Hannah, Jacob and Grace Taraschke. Brothers, Ralph and Kathy Coughenour of Daytona Beach, FL, Larry and Susie Coughenour of Fayetteville, NC and sisters Cathy Harper of Yuma, AZ and Jeanne and Harvey Hoffman of Fairfield Glade, TN. Nieces and nephews Jeff, Karyn, Amy, Cindy, Jamie, Chad, Amanda and Thomas.

Sisters/Brother-in-law Anne and Henry Goldman of Chuckey, TN, Rebecca and Herbert Piercy of Knoxville, TN and Michael and Gina Williams of Knoxville, TN. Nieces and nephews Wendy, Herb, Allen and Reagan.

The family wishes to thank our doctors Ken Smith, Monte Vass, Robert Funke, Ed McElroy; ICU, Wilcox 3 and Wellmont Hospice nurses. In addition we thank the community for its overwhelming outpouring of love and support. We are blessed.


The family will receive friends 5:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Thursday at Dobyns-Bennett High School, Buck Van Huss Dome.

A funeral mass will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday at St. Dominic Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Burton officiating.

Inurnment services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday at St. Dominic Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Coach Tom Coughenour Memorial Cross Country Scholarship. For more information, email [email protected]