Educator Joe Stewart dies at 73
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He began his successful coaching career as boys coach at Dibrell High School. He took the squad to the state quarterfinals during the 1957-58 school year. He went on to coach the girls team at McMinnville City High, where be became known as one of the greatest girls coaches in the state, ending his career by taking the Warren County High School girls team to the state finals. His accomplishments led to his induction into the Warren County Sports Hall of Fame.
Following his coaching career, Stewart was elected and served as superintendent of schools for many years. During his tenure as superintendent, he led a fight to upgrade the school curriculum and an initiative to upgrade rural school buildings and add quality teachers. He employed the school system’s first school psychologist and the first full-time director of adult education.
After leaving public office, Stewart continued his community service by honoring his late mother by establishing several scholarships for deserving and hard-working students.
“His passing is a tremendous loss to the community and the sports world,” said Warren County School Board chairman and former high school principal Edd Cantrell. “He was a very knowledgeable person, both in education and in basketball.”