Guyle Akridge

Funeral services for Guyle Akridge, Jr., 89, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Andy Pittman officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.
Mr. Akridge was born July 11, 1920 in Temple, Texas to the late Bess (Lucas) and Guyle Akridge, Sr., and died Friday, April 30, 2010 at his residence.
Mr. Akridge graduated from Temple High School in 1937. He attended East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Texas on a football scholarship where he received a B.S. Degree in 1941 and an M.S. Degree in 1947.
Mr. Akridge was a math teacher and line coach at Garland High School from 1941 to 1943. He was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Air Force from May 12, 1943 to February 27, 1946 when he received an Honorable Discharge. Mr. Akridge was awarded an American Theater Ribbon, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Ribbon.
Coach Akridge was an assistant coach at Port Neches High School the school year of 1946-47. He was the line coach and head baseball coach at Navarro Jr. College in Corsicana, Texas from 1947 to 1951.
Coach Akridge came to Lufkin High School in 1951 as P.E. teacher and line coach. In 1952 he started the Lufkin High School baseball team and was head baseball coach. He remained at these positions until the spring of 1959 when he became Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Lufkin High School. He served in the position until the spring of 1971 when he retired from coaching and became the Pupil Transportation Director for Lufkin ISD. Coach Akridge worked at this position until he retired in June 1979. He continued to live in Lufkin until his death.
Coach Akridge coached for a total of 38 years. He was selected District Coach of the Year several times in both football and baseball while coaching at Lufkin High School.
Coach Akridge was given a very special honor in 1977 when he was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Texas High School Coaches Association for two years.
Coach Akridge also received an Outstanding Coaches award from East Texas State University in 1996 which is awarded to ex-students who have coached and are retired.
Coach Akridge was very pleased when he was placed in the Lufkin High School Hall of Honor.
After retirement, Coach Akridge became involved with men's softball and became a devoted softball coach for many years.
Coach Akridge was a member of Lufkin's First Baptist Church from 1951 until the time of his death. He was a member of the Friendly Sunday school class that he loved and served as class secretary for many years.
Survivors include his very dear wife of 69 years, Athalea Akridge of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Tonja Akridge of Lufkin; granddaughters, Lindsey Akridge and Leah Akridge of Lufkin; and very special friends, Bud Weathers, Bob Hicks and Jim Gray.
Pallbearers will be Cecil Roach, W.A. Dempsey, Jim Wright, Steve Hall, Jim Gray and Ricky Conner.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bud Weathers, Walter Still, Bob Hicks, Jack Greer, Curtis Keene, the Friendly Sunday school class of Lufkin's First Baptist Church, former assistant coaches, and former football, baseball and softball players.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lufkin's First Baptist Church Building Fund, 106 East Bremond Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901.
The family extends special thanks to the caregivers who helped with Coach Akridge's care.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.