Paul E. Tribbett

Longtime educator Paul Everett Tribbett, 86, peacefully passed away of renal failure in Peoria, AZ, 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.

Preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Maude Tribbett, and three elder brothers, Clyde, Roy, and Byron.

Paul is survived by his wife Violet (DePoy) of Peoria; son David Tribbett (Lisa) of Peoria; daughter Julia Tribbett of Tamarindo, Costa Rica; son Marcus Tribbett (Janelle) of Jonesboro, AR; six grandchildren: Alysha, Patrick, Sydney, Sierra, Madeline, and Olivia; brother Patrick Tribbett (Centennial, CO); sister Donna Courtice (Royal Center).

A Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 p.m. June 18, at Center Presbyterian Church, located 3 miles north of Lake Cicott at intersection 825 W, C.R. 250 N.