John Benjamin "Coach" Gaddis, 85, Springfield, passed away at 1:47 a.m., Friday, December 2, 2016, in the James River Care and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by his loving family. The man who would always say, "Just call me Coach" was born on January 12, 1931, in Chanute Kansas to the late Okra Eugene and Hallie (Stockton) Gaddis. He graduated High School in 1949 from Rapid City, South Dakota. He attended Arkansas City Kansas Jr. College where he made All American in Basketball his second year. After that, he went on to Ottawa University where he got his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education/Physical Education. Coach was a member of the Army National Guard Company K, 1st Battalion, 137th Infantry Division.

He enjoyed a successful coaching career at Minatare Nebraska, Kemper Military School in Boonville Missouri, Salem Missouri, Marshfield Missouri, Evangel University in Springfield Missouri where he was Head Basketball Coach and started their baseball program, also Spokane Missouri where he was Head Basketball Coach and Principle. He primarily coached Basketball, but in some locations he also coached other sports such as Football, Baseball and or Golf. He also taught subjects such as American History, World History, Science and Drivers Education.

He was very good with people so he began working in sales and marketing. Working at places such as: Montgomery Wards, Walt's Boats and Motors, and also Bass Pro Shops. He started several of his own businesses as well, three of which he worked with his son, Curt Gaddis, - Coach's Corner (a computer picture t-shirt and calendar booth), Space Age Mowing, and his own Pre-Paid Legal Services agency.

Coach loved music. He played the piano as well as the accordion. He also loved to sing; in fact after High School he traveled with a Gospel Quartet for a while all through the south with well-known Evangelist A.A. Allen. He was also a big lover of the Lake. He and his family would go to the lake almost every weekend. Coach taught numerous people how to water ski. Coach loved to laugh, play jokes, and tell jokes and stories. He definitely had some fun stories! He genuinely enjoyed people and having fun with people. It would have been very rare to find him in a bad mood. In the words of one of his best friends and Pastor of Strafford Assembly of God (Where Coach and Pauline were members) Rev. Obi Harrup spoken just minutes after Coach's death "I have met thousands of people in my lifetime, but none like him" .

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include wife, Pauline of Springfield; sons, Curtis D. Gaddis and wife Elizabeth of Ozark, Mike W. Gaddis of Springfield; daughters, Mitzi L. Hubbard of Nixa, Sheri J. Jordon of Springfield; grandchildren, Hallie E. Gaddis of Ozark, Jennifer Pearson and husband John of Dunnegan, Becci Hubbard of Springfield, Summer Brooks and husband Brandon of Ozark, Sami Hill of Springfield, Dalton Dale of Springfield, Dyllan Dale of Springfield; extended family Regan Dale and Megan Dale; and great-grandchildren, Alexis Pearson and Colton Pearson both of Dunnegan, Sklyn Hill and Logan Hill both of Springfield, Isabella Dale and Harper Dale both of Ozark, Bentley Dale of Nixa, Ezra Dale of Ozark

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 2 p.m. in Rivermonte Mausoleum Chapel with Reverends Obie Harrup and T. Doyne Jennings officiating. Visitation will be held from 1-2 PM the same day and location.