September 1, 2013

Visitation Monday for Golden Eagle Hall of Fame coach Bob Joye

CHATTANOOGA -- Visitation will be held Monday evening and funeral services are Tuesday, all in Chattanooga, for Tennessee Tech Hall of Fame coach Bob Joye, who passed away Friday.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Visitation will be held Monday from 4-8 p.m. and funeral services begin Tuesday at 11 a.m., all at Heritage Funeral Home in Chattanooga, for Tennessee Tech Hall of Fame coach Bob Joye, who died Friday at the age of 81.

Widely known as a "players' coach," Joye was among the most well-liked coaches in Tech history, according to many of his players. He helped the Golden Eagles enjoy some of their greatest gridiron success during his time on head coach Don Wade's staff from 1969 until 1981.

Joye began his career at Tech under Wade in 1969 by working with Tech's runningbacks, and was instrumental in the record-setting career of future NFLer Larry Schreiber. When Joye switched to coaching linebackers, he worked with a string of NFL-bound all-stars, including Jim Youngblood, Howard Stidham and Mike Hennigan.

Joye helped the Golden Eagles claim Ohio Valley Conference championships in 1972 and 1975.

He was inducted into the TTU Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Bobby McDowell Joye , 81 of Ringgold, GA passed on Friday, August 30, 2013, thus ending a life well-lived.

He was born in Belmont, North Carolina on February 7, 1932, the youngest of 10 siblings.

He excelled in athletics but especially football. His football talent was evident by his multiple accolades as well as college scholarships. His Senior Year in High School he was a North Carolina All-State selection and played in the 1950 North Carolina Shrine Bowl game. He accepted a football scholarship to Clemson University and then transferred to Western Carolina University and earned All-Conference honors.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army and he proudly served two-years. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX where he also played football. During his Army time at Fort Bliss, he met Gail Goldman Joye, who was a Continental Airline Stewardess, and after exchanging vows in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, they celebrated 55 years of marriage.

He subsequently played football at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA until his graduation. He continued as the Head Coach at Ida Grove, Albia, and Ankeny, IA. During this 10-year coaching period he was designated as the Iowa Coach of the Decade.

From 1969 until 1981, Bobby coached football at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. During the next 11 years his presence and contributions resulted in numerous championship seasons and the graduation of countless number of student athletes – which all benefitted from the mentorship of Coach Joye.

In 1981, he accepted the position as Head Football Coach and Administrator at Murray County High School in Georgia. Two years later he assumed responsibility as the Principal of Murray County High School; a position he held for four years. Subsequently, Bobby was selected as the Murray County Associate Superintendent (four years) and he ended his education career as Elementary principal for another six years; that Elementary school was known as "The House of Joye".

But his memory will also be cherished by the thousands of former players, students, and teachers whose lives he literally touched and influenced.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Gail; son, Bobby Doak Joye; daughter, Jodi (Jeff) Jones; granddaughter Ashley; great-grandson Kylar; two brothers, James And Bill Joye; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, September 3, in the funeral home chapel with Tom Pemberton, Fred Barrell and Harold McClure officiating. Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Leah McCammon Foundation, to Benefit Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 22 East Oakland Park Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33334.

Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and to view the memorial tribute.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Monday at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.