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Gene Bartow Obituary
Bartow, who was the president of the company that owns the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and FedEx Forum, died Tuesday evening at his home in Birmingham, Ala., after a battle with stomach cancer, said university spokesman Norm Reilly.
"Coach Bartow is a beloved figure in college basketball and in the lives of many players and fans," said UAB athletic director Brian Mackin in a statement. "He was a great man and dedicated leader who set a standard of excellence for UAB athletics."
The school had been preparing for Saturday's Bartow Classic, a basketball game between UAB and Memphis that raises money for the Coach Gene Bartow Fund for Cancer Research. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in April 2009.
Bartow was one of the winningest NCAA Division I basketball coaches with 647 wins over 34 sea sons. He was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and UAB renamed its basketball arena in his honor in 1997.
He succeeded John Wooden as UCLA's coach in 1976 and led the Bruins to the Final Four but left after two seasons to start Alabama-Birmingham's program, expanding it under his tenure as athletic director to feature 17 sports.
"The UCLA family has suffered a great loss today with the passing of former Bruin men's basketball coach Gene Bartow," said UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero in a statement. "Gene had the unenviable task when he arrived at UCLA of following the greatest coach in college basketball history, John Wooden, and he did so admirably."
As UAB's basketball coach from 1978-96, Bartow led the Blazers to seven straight NCAA tournament appearances. He retired as athletic director in 2000.
"To begin an athletic program from the ground up, UAB had to find a motivating force without parallel," said UAB Pre sident Carol Garrison in a statement. "Gene Bartow certainly was that person. He was a pioneer and passionate believer and leader in UAB athletics."
Bartow coached Memphis State from 1970-74 and guided the school to the 1973 national championship game, where the Tigers lost to a UCLA team coached by Wooden. That year, Bartow was named national coach of the year, according to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame web site.
"Through his years as a coach, an athletic administrator and an NBA executive, Coach Bartow built an incredible network of friends and today we all feel a tremendous loss," said Alabama state Rep. Jack Williams in a statement.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
57 Entries
Barbara Hill
November 9, 2012
To Coach Bartow's Family,
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. I was a member of the 1973 Women's Basketball Team that toured China with Coach Bartow's Mens Team, and I just read about his passing. I will always remember him as member of our entourage and how friendly and personable he was.
Myrna McMurtry
January 17, 2012
May God bless this remaining family. I remember Ruth and her sons from the time she was teaching at TJ in Valparaiso. She and Gene participated in our staff parties and Murry was in my second grade class. What a great family. We followed news of the family and even sent a gift of familiar flowers.
Bob Magruder
January 14, 2012
I was just a blip on Gene's radar when he was assistant coach to Art Gallon at UC Santa Barbara in '59 and '6o. He and his family lived in a tract home in El Encanto Heights in what is now Goleta. I was what is now called Sports Information Director at UCSB. I will always remember Gene as a real gentleman and a "people person." I want his family to know that Jerry Harwin who founded the Hoop Club at UCSB is still going strong at age 101 and attends all Gaucho women's and men's basketball games.
How you can show support
Larry and Connie Snyder
January 13, 2012
Dearest Ruth,
I still have your Tylenol in my pocket book you gave me the day Gene had the "Gamma Knife" done so early in the morning. I don' t know if you remember me (Connie) and my husband Larry, but our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. I realllly hope we can stay in touch, because I really liked both of you very much for the moment we met.
Our deepest Sympathy
Always,
Larry and Connie
[email protected]
william floyd
January 12, 2012
I was sorry to hear of Coach Bartow's passing. The last time I saw and spoke with him was at the Full Moon Restaurant for lunch last year when he came in with his wife. As a 1980 Graduate of UAB, I remember fondly his coaching of the team in their win over Virginia and Ralph Sampson at the BJCC. It was special for me because I had just moved back to Birmingham after living and working in Charlottesville after graduation from UAB. Tha was a fulfilling win. I also remember Coach Bartow from Wallace Gym when he would allow his players to play against a bunch of us in pickup games. Unlike most Coaches, he revelled in seeing his players challenged. I will miss Coach Bartow because he gave basketball life in Birmingham by starting a team at UAB. The numerous professional players who came to UAB during the summers to play in the Summer League at Bell Gym and at Samford. It was all due to his influence. The same goes for football and baseball and other sports at UAB under his guidance. I (we )will miss him dearly.
William Floyd (UAB Class of 1980) - Birmingham, Al.
Derek Weaver
January 9, 2012
God Bless You Coach. Thank you for all you have done for UaB. Thank you Bartow family for loaning him to us for all these years. He was a great coach of basketball, and a better coach of life.
We will always love you coach.
Pat Green
January 9, 2012
As a Blazer fan living in Birmingham, Alabama, I would put Coach Bartow over all other legendary coaches. I would put him as one of the Greatest Coaches in all of basketball, of all time. RIP Father of UAB Sports. You are already missed. Thank you coach.
January 9, 2012
I feel deeply honored to have met Coach Bartow at an ETSU game last year. I sat behind him and beside his grandson. His grandson proudly introduced me to this wonderful man. I will always remember his kindness to me. ETSU will miss his support of our program. May God Bless His Family as they grieve his passing.
Gerald Owens (Kingsport, Tennessee)
January 9, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
January 9, 2012
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
nancy frey
January 9, 2012
Love we often understand and feel anew through death's call for a last good-bye.
My condolences to Gene Bartow's family & friends.
Nancy Frey, Germany ( friend of Mark's)
Rosemary Holland
January 8, 2012
I know this isn't the end and I will see you again.
Family I am praying for God's comfort for each of you. Thank you for sharing Coach Bartow with all of us that knew him at UAB.
January 7, 2012
Thank You Coach Bartow! Thank You.
-Tommy Anderson
j burch
January 7, 2012
thank you, coach. our prayers are with all of you.
Virginia Sande
January 7, 2012
My condolences to the Bartow family. My husband (who passed 16 Sept 2011) was the athletic trainer at Central Missouri State in Warrensburg when Gene served as an assistant to Joe B. Hall; and the following year when he took over as head coach. Wally always had the greatest respect and admiration for Gene. His family was always very gracious to us.
Chris Simon
January 7, 2012
A great man and a wonderful ambassador for UAB. I'll forever treasure the memory of being his guest at one of the first UAB football home games in the mid-90s. A true class act...and a consummate gentleman. You will be missed.
WALTER JOHNSEY, SR
January 7, 2012
Thanks Coach for all you did for the YOUNG PEOPLE that you influenced during your lifetime. Thank you and your family for coming to Alabama to be an influence to our young people and to build a GREAT basketball program at UAB. God is blessing your family as you have received the last promotion that is open to mankind in this life, to bow your body in the PRESENCE OF THE LIVING GOD OF CREATION WHOM YOU SERVED.
Rose Scripa
January 7, 2012
I was very fortunate to have served as UAB's Faculty Athletic Representative for 6 years during which time I had the privilege and honor to get to know and work with Coach Bartow. He was indeed a kind and caring person and a "class act." I have fond memories of the great wins UAB had under Coach's leadership and the excitement he brought to the game. I often think about the fun everyone had on the bus trips to out of town games and the many barbecue restaurants we ate at. To Ruth, Murray,and all of Coach's family,I want you to know that my life is richer for having known Coach and I will always consider him a mentor and a friend. He set an example of how we should all live our lives and he will be greatly missed. Coach, thanks for all the wonderful memories!!
Scott Adamson
January 7, 2012
An outstanding coach and even better person.
Coach Bartow was one of the great, positive influences on my life.
Uncle Gene at Anna Bartow's wedding in Birmingham, 2005
Cynthia Hine
January 7, 2012
Mary Yeatman-Altine
January 6, 2012
I met Coach Bartow when I started UAB as a student/athlete in 78. He was like a second father to me during my time at UAB. I respected and admired him for his honesty & ethics. Some of my fondest memories are my times working as a student trainer with the basketball team, and helping out in AD office when his devoted assistant & "right hand" Judy was away on vacation! He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tease me about a "crush" I had on one of the players! His family were always an extension of his class,and humility. Murry was a classmate & friend...Ruth was always such a kind,generous and caring person to me!She always teased me about the German Chocolate cakes I made for the team...because I knew it was one of Coach's favorites! I regret that I lost touch with them over the years.
A book could be written on the positive impact that Gene Bartow made not only in my life but in countless others as well! Gene cared about his athletes, players, coaches, and staff...always would do his best to make sure you had all the tools you needed to be successful both on and off the court. My heart is sad, but I know Coach is in the Lord's presence. So much will be written about his NCAA & NBA legacy, but to me he was a kind, caring, guiding, father figure who always made me feel I could achieve anything through study, practice, hard work and "playing fair" in sports and in life! At a time when so many of our "Sports Heros & Coaches" are found to be so morally & ethically lacking..Gene Bartow's legacy of fair play, honesty, respect, hard work, & love of the game should serve as a reminder that "good guys can & do finish first"!
It was a honor to know him.
My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends & colleagues. Rest in Peace, Coach.
Stanley Jackson
January 6, 2012
I am fortunate,lucky and have a more fullfilling life because of the lessons I learned from one of the best ever...
Jim & Phyllis Gray
January 6, 2012
Our condolences to Ruth, Murry, his Family and many friends. He was my Junior Varsity Coach in Shelbina, MO. He went on to bigger and better things but still remember him as a great coach, teacher and human being. We lived in Alaska when he brought his UAB team to the Great Alaska Shootout and were fortunate to have him along with Ruth and Murry to our house for Thanksgiving dinner. Meeting after all those years it was like old home town. After moving to Nashville our daughter Stephanie moved to Memphis and we went to a Grizzlies game. Gene came on court during the halftime program and I told my daughter who is a basketball fan his story. She was impressed and was keeping me up-to-date on his role with the Grizzlies. Had a chance to meet him later and he remembered me and said "about the only value I have is if you ever need Grizzlies tickets". I took advantage of his generous offer and enjoyed great seats at the FedEX Forum. When you multiply the impact he has had on my life by the many who he has influenced I know that he made a big difference in the world. Coach Bartow will always be in my family's memories. Plan to pass his story onto my Grandson who is only 4 when he is older.
January 6, 2012
i am sorry about your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you and the family. 2Cor 1:3,4.
Judy Nichols
January 6, 2012
I was very honored and blessed to have been part of Coach Bartow's staff here at UAB for 23 years. He not only made me feel part of his teams but part of his family as well. He was a very special friend and will be missed by many. Coach Bartow, may you rest in eternal piece.
January 6, 2012
To the Bartow Family: I was sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Be comforted in knowing that the God of ALL comfort does not forget our dear loved ones Psalm 116:15.
Cheryl B. Illinois
Basketball Fan
January 5, 2012
As a fan, I remember the respect accorded Coach Bartow by other coaches such as Al McGuire and John Wooden. Coach Bartow was a fine basketball man, and by all accounts a very decent, kind individual. He was also very sagacious, and had a knack for thinking ahead.
My sincerest condolences.
Cole Rawden
January 5, 2012
It's amazing the impact one man can have on someone. I worked at UAB Arena for 7 years and was blessed to have been able to be around Coach every day. I read all the stories everyone has shared about him and laugh at every one of them, because every unbelievable story about how nice he was and how he would just randomly walk up and talk to someone like they were his lifelong friend is the honest truth about him.
Ruth, Murry and the rest of the family, please accept my condolences on your loss. He will truly be missed.
Richard Parker
January 5, 2012
To Ruth and the rest of Gene's clan, we want to say it has been anpleasure and honor to know Gene and the rest of you fine folks. We have many fond memories of time spent with you at numerous UAB functions and occasionally on the links over the past 25 years.
Richard and Sandra Parker
alan jackson
January 5, 2012
To the family of Coach Bartow, I want to express my condolences. May your hearts be filled with wonderful recollections of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. I was there in November 1978 as a young student when the father of UAB athletics had his coming out party with Nebraska! I pray the pain of our loss is replaced with the warmth of the great memories!
doug dotson
January 5, 2012
coach bartow was a great person and coach rest in peace. tell coach wooden hello for all of us, basketball fans .
rick foster
January 5, 2012
If you do something nice for a kid they will never forget it. In 1984, when I was 12 years old, Coach Bartow let me sit on the bench during the game and come in the locker room. What prominent coach or program does that? It was the nicest thing ever for him to do. There were many more games that followed. Thanks coach.
-Sugar Foster
Mary Jane Wade Pohlmann
January 5, 2012
Gene Bartow was truly one of the good guys. He never forgot where he came from or where he was going. It was a great honor to know him. He did his hometown proud!
Chris Kumpf
January 5, 2012
I am sorry Coach Bartow has passed, but he lived a life that was filled with more goodness and success than most of us will ever know. Bobby C, you need to carry on and emulate what Uncle Gene did with his life. The closest I ever got to "big time" basketball was a trip to St. Louis to see UCLA play Indiana. Being around Uncle Gene and his team was a highlite that I greatly appreciate and will always remember.
BBN
January 5, 2012
may god bless the family.
"IN THE NAME OF JESUS"
rip.
Jerry Goodwine
January 5, 2012
Had the good fortune in the mid to late 1940s of being on the Brookfield MO. American Legion Baseball Team with Gene/ playing basketball against his superb Browning MO.team and starting college behind him at Kirksville. Years later he still spoke fondly of those days and old friends and family. The world has lost a truly great leader and friend.
Jerry Goodwine
USMC Retired
January 5, 2012
R.I.P.
Deborah Manning-Thomas
January 5, 2012
I am blessed to have wonderful memories of a great man! He continued to care for his players after coaching them. He was a true gentleman and Memphis is better for having had him here. My sympathies and prayers are extended to the family of a GREAT man!!
Bob Bainter
January 5, 2012
Condolences to the Bartow family. I remember when St.Charles H.S.(MO.) won the state championship with Coach Bartow at the helm in 1957, his demeanor, skill, and persona resonated in the St.Louis area basketball community. When he became head coach at Memphis Univ. I knew they would be blessed. His accomplishments are merely the extension of what a fine man Coach Bartow was.
H C Palmer, MD
January 5, 2012
To the Bartow family,
A Great One has passed, leaving us all less than we were, but blessed by knowing him in some way.
I traveled to China with Coach in 1973. He had the honor of being the first coach for a team sport to tour The People's Republic of China, a collection of all-star college basketball players and team support members. It is an honor to have known and worked with Coach Bartow.
Jim Nelson
January 5, 2012
Ruth and Family
Coach Bartow's passing brings fond memories of the early days in Birmingham..
So thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach and for the trust he showed in me..
Ruth, thanks for your kindness and hopitality during my time there.
Wish you and your family the best !!!
Bob Polk, MD
January 5, 2012
My condolences to the family. My father worked for Coach Bartow at UAB at the start in 1978. Dad always enjoyed working for Gene. After my dad's illness in 1981, and he had to quit his post as assistant AD to Gene, Gene and Ruth were always so kind and supportive of my mom, Betty Polk, in her remaining years.
God bless you all.
Florence Hupf
January 5, 2012
Coach..you took our Memphis State Tigers to "Nr.2 in the nation, Nr.1 in our hearts." We thank you so much... God made you and threw away the mold. You're now in Heaven with your star player and buddy, Larry. I lived in Memphis then, with Season's tickets. For many years now, we've lived in Alabama and appreciate what you've done for UAB.
To his precious family, please know how very many people loved your husband, father, and grandfather for the kind, encouraging person he was...to everyone.
I frequently hear him referred to as "the Dean of Basketball." I concur. God bless all of you.
Terri Creager
January 4, 2012
May God Bless your famliy, Sports is a great way to share Family, love and good sportsmanship. Thank you for all that you gave sports. A University of Cincinnati Fan. May God Bless you.
Pat and Don Reed
January 4, 2012
We remember Gene from Valparaiso University and I taught with Ruth in Valparaiso. We send our thoughts and prayer to your family at this sad time. May God bless you all and keep you in His care.
January 4, 2012
To the the family of Gene Bartow - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
January 4, 2012
Sorry to hear this news. I knew his mom and dad well. I now live in the same house where he was raised.
Doug Watson
Browning MO.
B B
January 4, 2012
I am proud to say I was on one of the womens teams Coach Bartow helped to create in 1978. It was a scholarship opportunity that lead me to a great career..Thanks coach! Blessing to the family for the loss of this great man!
January 4, 2012
great coach/fineleader,basketball fan from syracuse,ny
Melinda Moss
January 4, 2012
Thoughts and prayers going out to you from Browning, Missouri.
Melinda Moss (grand daughter of Rex & Helen (Hamilton) Hooker)
NC
January 4, 2012
To the family and friends of Mr Bartow, I wanted to express my condolences. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived Psalm 46:1.
With Sincere Sympathy,
charise morgan
January 4, 2012
Take courage and have hope, God will speed the day when he will cure all diseases,who protects your loved ones from being swallowed up in death.-Psalms 103:2-4. My Sympathy
January 4, 2012
Dear Ruth, Mark, Murray, and Beth,
I was sad to hear of Gene's passing. I have fond memories of what a wonderful neighbor he was when you all lived on Vale Park Road in Valparaiso. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Joanna Bryant Brissette
Melissa McGowan-Thomas
January 4, 2012
I was deeply saddened to hear about the untimely passing of your loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Mentor, Leader and a Pioneer of a Giant for Righteous and Equality. The inexorable laws of fate decreed that he be taken from us and obliged to move through the Celestial Gate to enter that bourn from which no other traveler shall return. He was one of “God's Noblest People”…an Eagle of a man because of the supreme sacrifices that he made for his family, The UAB School/Family and around the world. I know you may be experiencing a void in your life because of this unfortunate season. Mere words are futile at a time because this is sincerely a personal loss of your loved one. We can only bow our heads to the will of God, the Father of us all, and say to ourselves; is there beyond the silent night an endless day? In the midst of your darkness, may God's light shine through even brighter unto the perfect day.
To The Family Of Coach Bartow - STRENGTH God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree…
The warmth of a summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea.
The generous soul of nature, the comforting arm of night…
The wisdom of the ages, the power of the eagle's flight.
The joy of a morning in spring, the faith of a mustard seed…
The patience of eternity, the depth of a family need.
Then God combined these qualities; when there was not another…
He knew His masterpiece was complete in Coach Bartow.
Melissa McGowan-Thomas
UAB Army ROTC
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