BY CONNIE BEDSOLE
Eufaula suffered a huge loss last week. Duane Mock died at his home last Thursday, September 24 after a short illness.
His death has caused a lot of friends and family much hurt. In that mourning spirit, concerning individuals have taken to social media to share tributes on the amazing individual and coach he was as well as how much he loved his community and family.
Coach Mock was born in Pensacola, Florida and graduated from Auburn University. After graduating from Auburn, he moved to Eufaula where he began his career as an educator at the Quitman County Elementary School. It was during that time he attended an expo tryout held by the USA Bobsledding team in Mobile. He eventually earned a spot on the United States Bobsled Team that qualified for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan. He would compete both around the country and on the global stage for the United States, medaling in several events.
Coach Mock spent 10 years at The Lakeside School, coaching both football and baseball. He remains Lakeside’s winningest head football coach with a .667 percentage from 2004-2007. For the last 13 years he has served as the defensive coordinator for the Eufaula High School football team, as well as the track coach.
One person stated “Duane Mock was a remarkable person who loved sports and loved his students even more. Everybody knows and respects the amount of love, passion, work and energy Coach Mock put into our community during his time with us. He was an amazing coach and even better man who truly believed in his players and he loved and treated as his own. He left a mark on everyone he met and was a friend to everyone He greatly loved his family: wife, Jennifer, and daughters, Georgia and Jada. Please keep his family, students and co-workers in your prayers.”
Tom Clements grew up knowing of Mock due to his Olympic expertise, however didn’t know him personally until he was employed as offensive coordinator by Mock at The Lakeside School in 2004. The two worked there together until 2007 and then again in 2011-12.
Clements said, “ The very first thing that comes to mind when I think of Duane Mock is a class act. He undoubtedly shall be missed. He was an asset to so many individuals.”
Clements described Mock as a passionate, organized and targeted individual. Clements went on to say, “He was very unselfish, wanting to ensure he was giving the children the very best likelihood to succeed, whether or not it was to athletes or in life generally.”
The Eufaula High School Cheerleaders posted “To say that Duane Mock was a good man is an understatement. I have love and respect for him and his precious babies, and for all the children who have loved him. My heart hurts for those who will never experience that love because he was taken from this world too soon .”
The Eufaula Tiger Football Team posted: “We are beyond heartbroken to say that Coach Duane Mock passed away today. To say that he will be missed is a major understatement. The positive influence he had on his players, students, family, friends, and all who knew him is one that will last forever. He left only good wherever he went and that will linger with us always. Let’s try to honor him and do the same. His presence will most certainly be on those sidelines with us every game from here on out, and he will no doubt be looking over us all. Please keep his wife, daughters, and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers now and in the coming days, as they are going to need all thesupport possible. As we continue to go through life, let’s all strive to be #MockStrong.”
Dave Owens, a bobsled teammate of Mock in 1990, was asked why he thought Mock held such a special place in the hearts of his bobsled teammates. Owens said, “I think the thing that made Duane such a special bobsled teammate then, is also the thing that made him a great husband, father, teacher and coach. . . he had a genuine desire to be a positive part of their stories. Duane was the guy that always had a smile on his face, not the goofy kind, but the kind that breeds confidence. A “no moment is too bid” kind of smile. A lot of work goes into a 60 second bobsled ride and Duane was no stranger to the hard work required to make the team
go. His – get there early/stay late – work ethic was contagious. “tough like shoe leather,” would be the best way to describe Duane when it came to sliding.”
