Paul Everett Tribbett

Longtime educator Paul Everett Tribbett, 86, peacefully passed away of renal failure in Peoria, Ariz., on New Year's Day 2022.In a career spanning more than four decades and schools in four states, Paul served as a secondary school teacher in math, history, and physical education; coached basketball, track, and cross country; principal; athletic director; and coordinator of university programs for teacher training.A 1953 graduate of Royal Center High School, he received a bachelor's degree from Ball State and a master's from Purdue.His smile and goofy sense of humor are warmly remembered by those who knew him, and he loved making a difference in the lives of young people. After a serious knee injury as a teenager, he dedicated much of his life to the pursuit of physical fitness. As a young man, he could walk the length of a gymnasium floor and back on his hands, and he remained as active as possible until the very end of his life.Paul is survived by his wife, Violet (DePoy), Peoria, Ariz.; son, David (Lisa) Tribbett, Peoria, Ariz.; daughter, Julia Tribbett, Tamarindo, Costa Rica; son, Marcus (Janelle) Tribbett, Jonesboro, Ark.; six grandchildren, Alysha, Patrick, Sydney, Sierra, Madeline, and Olivia; brother, Patrick Tribbett, Centennial, Colo.; and sister, Donna Courtice, Royal Center.Preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Maude Tribbett, and three elder brothers, Clyde, Roy, and Byron.A Celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m. June 18, at Center Presbyterian Church, located three miles north of Lake Cicott at intersection 825 W, C.R. 250 N.