Thomas L. "Coach" Stanford

Thomas L. “Coach” Stanford, 84, passed away on March 18, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. Born in Asheville, N.C., Tom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George and Audrie Stanford. He graduated from Lee Edwards High School and earned degrees from Mars Hill College (A.A.) and Western Carolina University (B.S., M.A.). Coach is remembered for his love of Jesus Christ, devotion to his family, and service to his church, students, and community. He served in a variety of volunteer ministry positions including deacon and Sunday School teacher over a period of more than 50 years at Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, and most recently Marietta First Baptist Church. Coach Stanford served the students, staff, and families of Greenville County for 45 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal. He worked at Monaview Jr. High, JL Mann High, Slater-Marietta High, Travelers Rest High, Eastside High, and Riverside High. The SC Athletic Coaches Association recognized his 30-year coaching career with teams in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He led teams to conference championships at multiple schools, earned multiple conference Coach of the Year honors, and won a S.C State Basketball Championship in 1971 at Slater-Marietta High School. Coach was inducted into the Eastside High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2010) and the S.C. Basketball Officials Hall of Fame (2012). Tom is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce Stanford; his children, Candi Boone (Rick) and Scott Stanford (Chrissy); his six grandchildren, Greyson, Syndney, Cole, Alexandra, Lily, and Gabrielle; and his sister Elaine Deaner. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, George Stanford III. A visitation will be held at The Howze Mortuary, 6714 State Park Road in Travelers Rest, SC on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Marietta First Baptist Church, 2936 Geer Hwy, Marietta, SC on Saturday, March 21,2026 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Coleman Memorial Cemetery in Travelers Rest. Memorials may be made to Marietta First Baptist Church, 2936 Geer Highway, Marietta, SC, 29661, https://www.mfbc-sc.org/give.

Thomas L. "Coach" Stanford

May 17, 1941 - March 18, 2026