Bob D. Dallas of Harrisburg
Bob D. Dallas, age 90, lifelong resident of the Harrisburg area and longtime legendary coach in Ridgway and Gallatin County, passed on this life Dec. 5, 2018 in the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
Bob, or "Coach" as most knew him, was born on the family farm where he lived on June 3, 1928 to the late Everett and Floe (Absher) Dallas.
Coach Dallas graduated from Harrisburg High School and then furthered his education at SIU, earning a bachelor's degree. He served his country in the U.S. Navy. In 1955, he took the job at Ridgway High School as the physical education teacher and coach of basketball and baseball from 1955 to 1997, when the Gallatin county schools all consolidated and he moved to the new school. During his tenure at Ridgway and Gallatin County, which spanned 46 years, he also touched the lives of thousands of students, as he taught driver's education.
Known for his tough and no-nonsense approach and his huge stature, he was feared by many, but down deep he was a person of great compassion. His legacy on the basketball court will never be forgotten, a legend in the state of Illinois. He is fifth all-time with wins (772) at one school and 11th overall, his total record being 772 wins against 408 losses, which is a 68-percent win rate. He coached some incredible teams and players in his time, with his highlight being winning the Illinois High School State Basketball Tournament in 1973. He was also in the Top 5 of wins in high school baseball as a coach. He was inducted to the Illinois High School Association Hall of Fame in basketball and baseball.
He loved to hunt, race horses and farm. He was raised a hard worker and that carried on his entire life. He was a member of the Ridgway American Legion and the Second Team in Harrisburg. In this area, when you hear the word "Coach" you think of Bob Dallas. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Bob is survived by his wife Nina Kay (Pierson) Dallas; daughter, Pam Pearson; son, Shannon (Linda) Thurston; grandchildren, Shaylin and Talon Thurston; brother-in-law, Don and Joy Pierson; niece, Debra Wolf; and nephew Doug Wilson. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Jo Seright; and sisters and brothers-in-laws, Euline (Lee) Eilbracht, Bob Wilson and Gloria Hall.
The funeral service for Coach Dallas will begin at noon Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway, where the family will receive friends after 9:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest immediately following in the Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg, alongside his parents. Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway is entrusted with his arrangements.
A Coach Bob Dallas Scholarship fund will be set up in his memory and the family asks that memorials be made to this. Envelopes will be available at the service. You may also send a note of comfort to the family at www.coxandon.com.