John Bearden

J.B. �Coach� Bearden was called home from this earthly life on the morning of September 29, 2010. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach and friend, he fought for the past several years numerous and severe health issues with the same resolve for succeeding that he displayed in every aspect of both his personal and professional life. Throughout this battle he never gave up and never lost his faith, optimism, sense of humor or will. His body, like the well used piece of equipment that it was, simply wore out.



Born July 1934 in Bartow County and spending his formative years in the Peeples Valley community, he was the son of the late Jesse Bearden and the late Naomi McEver Bearden.



76 years old at his passing, he is survived by his wife, Grace Gordy Bearden; his daughter and son-in-law, Shelia and Scott Brown; his son and daughter-in-law, Brice and Connie Bearden; three grandchildren, Charissa, Bonnie and Josh; one great-granddaughter, Gracie; and three step-grandchildren. He is also

survived by two sisters, Cindy Mathison and Dot Jenkins, both of Cartersville.



Born on a farm he learned the essentials of hard work, but it appears that he spent more time shooting �hoops� than behind the plow. He excelled as a basketball player from elementary school through college playing his final two years as a starter for Auburn University. He coached basketball professionally in six school systems over a period of 37 years and a 1,164 win career.



His dedication and coaching skills produced 15 region winning teams, 7 state runner-up teams and 2 state championship teams. He was recognized by his peers with numerous honors and was awarded Region Coach of the Year 10 times, North All-Star Coach of the Year 2 times, District Coach of the Year, and State Coach of the Year. In 1979 he was selected and awarded the prestigious National Coach of the Year in Girls Basketball. His final and crowning honor came in 2007 when he was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association �Hall of Fame� for his career achievements.



Coach Bearden was more than a man driven to excellence and achievements in the sports he coached. He was devoted to instilling these values in the young people he coached, mentored and taught. He encouraged them (as well as adults) through example on the court, in the classroom and his daily walk through life. He stressed devotion to hard work in all matters as well as maintaining and striving for mental and spiritual well being. He was a man greatly loved by all who fell under his stewardship. This love was simply an echo of the love he felt and showed for others.



Coach Bearden pursued life with the same zeal he expressed for athletics. He was an avid fisherman. Most of us just fish, but he fished with intensity. Coach Bearden loved God and delighted in song. For many years he was a song leader in his church. He taught his students to sing in victory but to remain quiet and thoughtful in defeat. Watching westerns, both old and new, was more than a pastime - it was a passion. He found satisfaction in the pristine maintenance of his home and yard.



Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2010 in the chapel of Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Dr. John Allen and Coach Bearden�s nephew, Dr. Eric Mathison, officiating. Burial will follow in the Liberty Hill Cemetery in Acworth.



Nephews will serve as pallbearers and include Rex Bearden, Ronnie Bearden, Steve Worley, Larry Gravett, Stacy Mathison, Brian Bearden, Randy Jenkins, and Mitch Jenkins. These gentlemen are requested to meet at the funeral home at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday.



The family will receive friends from 5 � 9 p.m. Friday at Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 430 Cassville Rd., Cartersville, GA 30120.