Robert Larken Qualls

Athens -Funeral Services for Robert Qualls, 61, of Athens are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home with Pastor Kyle Henderson officiating. Interment will follow at Athens Cemetery under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Coach Qualls passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in Athens.

Robert Larken Qualls was born February 20, 1955 in Crane, Texas the son of Billy Lark Qualls and Barbara Jo Hocker Qualls. He graduated from Denver City High School in 1973 and played football at Howard Payne University from 1973-1975. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in history and physical education. His coaching career spanned over 5 decades; including Paris High School from 1979 to 1991, John Tyler High School from 1991 to 2003 and then retiring from Whitehouse High School in 2013. In his coaching career he won two state championships; one at Paris in 1988 and one at Tyler John Tyler in 1994, state finalist in 2000 and semi-finalist in 1997. He was a member of the Texas State High School Coaches Association and loved hunting and fishing in which he was involved in Kut Fest with his high school buddies on an annual fishing trip for over 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his father Billy Lark Qualls.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Melissa Qualls of Athens; son James Robert Qualls and wife Amber Hall Qualls of Athens; daughter Emily Blair Qualls Patterson and husband Christopher of Tyler; his mother Barbara Qualls of Denver City; sister Jaymie Brown of Denver City; three grandchildren, Carson Scott Qualls, Charlotte Elaine Qualls, Mason Lark Patterson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com