Derrell Coach Carlile

Derrell L. "Coach" Carlile, age 74, of West, passed away early Monday morning, May 29, 2006 at West Rest Haven in West. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of West with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Graveside services will be held 4:00 p.m. Wednesday at Fort Parker Cemetery in Groesbeck. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Derrell was born July 27, 1931 in Mexia. He attended schools in Mexia and graduated from Mexia High School in 1950. He was an outstanding high school athlete and received a scholarship to play for the Baylor Bears. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Education from Baylor University in 1954 and a Master's degree from Tarleton State University. On January 25, 1952 he was united in marriage to Lou Toney in Waco. They then moved to Kermit to start his coaching career in 1957. He later became the head football coach and athletic director for the West Trojans and coached many outstanding football teams and players through the 1960's and 1970's. From 1981 to 1983 he was the head football coach and athletic director for the Hillsboro Eagles. He then spent a few years teaching at the Methodist Boy's Ranch before retiring in 1987. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in West where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir. Coach Carlile was a member of the Texas High School Football Coaches Association, where he formerly served on the board. He was also a member of the West Kiwanis Club and a founding member of the West Bass Club. This year he was inducted into the newly formed West High Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Carlile enjoyed fishing, hunting, singing, and attending sporting events. His parents; and four brothers, Ernest, Leldon, Billy, and Kenneth Carlile all preceded him in death. Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Lou Carlile of West; two daughters, Linda Phend and her husband Bill of Waco and Carol Huffman and her husband Doug of Amarillo; two grandsons, Jeff McPherson and his fiance Mendi and Clay McPherson and his fiance Karri; two great grandsons, Cason and Kaden McPherson; his shelties, Vador and Taffy; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers will be Deacons of the First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Sawyer, Ronnie Patton, and Robert Cashion. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, American Heart Association, or Fuzzy Friends.