Virgil Douglas 'Doug' Potts

Celebration of life: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 9, at Mabee Chapel Pike Auditorium on the Southwest Baptist University Campus, with services under the direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar. Coach Doug Potts died Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar after a four-month struggle with melanoma cancer. Doug was born Feb. 12, 1938, in Lawton, Okla., the son of Virgil and Elwee "Dollie" Brown Potts. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ann Mitchell Potts; his son, Brett Douglas Potts and his wife, Paula Potts; his daughter, Jennifer Potts Randolph and her husband, Jack Randolph. Coach had four grandchildren, Cooper Douglas Potts, Peyton Wesley Potts, Lindsay Glenda Randolph and Landry Douglas Randolph. Coach Potts graduated from Neosho High School in 1956, entering the U.S. Navy that summer and serving on the minesweeper USS Dominant. In 1961 he attended Pittsburg State University where he received his B.S. and M.S. in education and had a successful football career. Upon graduating, he went back to his alma mater as an assistant coach with his mentor, Coach Calvin Lane. He started his career in Bolivar in 1966. Doug also coached track and basketball. He enjoyed teaching PE, especially the year he taught kindergarten and fifth-graders at the elementary school. He loved the fine arts. He was always so proud of the high school choirs and bands and was named an honorary choir member. He was a senior class sponsor and loved being a part in taking the seniors to Washington, D.C., for 12 years. Coach Potts was active in the Missouri Football Coaches Association, as well as the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association. He received numerous honors and recognitions, including inductions into the Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. He loved starting track meets in the spring and enjoyed camaraderie with other track officials and the athletes. Doug also developed cherished friendships with coaches, officials and athletic directors across the state. He was an active member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church for 50 years, serving on committees, washing dishes and, most importantly, singing in the choir. Doug and Annie loved to travel. They took Brett and Jennifer on long vacations out west to the Rockies, the Tetons and Yellowstone, camping in a pop-up camper. Later in life, they loved traveling with precious friends to Scotland, Ireland, Greece, Italy, the Danube, and all over the U.S. Upon retirement, he joined Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club. He loved playing with great friends and always enjoyed meeting new members. He loved hearing the bagpipes, "Moonlight Sonata," choir music sung in Latin, "Shenandoah" and anything by Don Williams. He floated 50 miles on the Buffalo and walked 50 miles with the Boy Scouts at Philmont with his friend, Dr. Ben Koon. He and his wife, Annie, were madly in love, and he loved his children and grandchildren beyond measure. In lieu of visitation, Silo Ridge is hosting “Tee time with Doug” from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Everyone is welcome. His Celebration of Life is at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 9, in the Mabee Chapel - Pike Auditorium on the campus of Southwest Baptist University. Coach always dreamed of building a BHS football field. In lieu of flowers, a tax-deductible gift can be made to the Doug Potts BHS Athletic Facility Fund c/o Butler Funeral Home or a charity of your choice. Family and friends may share memories or leave online condolences at butlerfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar.

Virgil Douglas 'Doug' Potts

February 12, 1938 - April 4, 2017