Coach Gene Douglas

“Coach” Harold Eugene Douglas, age 82 of Dayton, passed away Monday, September 20, 2021, at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. He was born on November 3, 1938, in Dayton, the son of the late Paul J. Douglas and Partilla (Dillard) Douglas.

Coach grew up in Dayton and served his country in the US Air Force. He graduated with a business degree from Tennessee Tech and was a beloved football, baseball and basketball coach and teacher for 34 years at Rhea County High School. Gene and his wife were members of New Union Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Edna (Schrimpsher) Douglas of Dayton; his sons, Jeff (Jennifer) Douglas and Tom (Sharon) Schrimpsher; grandchildren, Shelby Douglas, Madi Douglas, Kendall Martin Gary, Katrina Martin, Kalina Schrimpsher, Zach Holton and Nathan Schrimpsher; and great grandchild, Ryland Nance.

Funeral services for Coach will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at New Union Baptist Church with Pastor Jeremy Deal and Bro. Danny Ruehling officiating. He will be laid to rest at Smyrna Cemetery with military honors.

Please share your memories and photos of Coach on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .

Memorial contributions may be made to New Union Baptist Church, 4060 Double S. Road, Dayton, TN 37321.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN, where they will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021 and one hour before the service on Friday, September 24, 2021 at New Union Baptist Church.