The passing of a legacy… Community mourns loss of Charlie Roscoe Bayless

Published 11:12 pm Monday, February 21, 2022

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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Carter County lost a true servant Monday morning when Charlie Roscoe Bayless passed away.
Bayless was 98 years old.
Bayless served his country and his community as an MP traffic officer guarding high-ranking German officers standing trial for war crimes at Nuremberg Prison; on the basketball court coaching young men; or representing his constituents in the 5th District on the Carter County Commission from 1954 until his retirement.
“He lived a life dedicated to service – to his county through the years as a county commissioner and certainly 59 years of coaching at Happy Valley,  touching the lives of many people and many students,” said Ross Garland, Bayless’ grandson, during a September 2021 commission meeting where a proclamation was presented by Mayor Patty Woodby honoring Bayless.
“I am proud to be his grandson.”
Bayless was a graduate of Happy Valley High School where he lettered four years in basketball, three in football, and one in baseball. After returning from the military in 1946, he married Jane Sisk and attended Milligan College and ETSU College where he graduated in 1950 and returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Carl Gouge.
He left Happy Valley for one year from 1951 to 1952 to coach Jonesborough and then returned to Warrior Hill to assume the head coaching position in 1953. He coached the Warriors for 59 years retiring in 2012 at the age of 88.
In his career, Bayless had a total of 964 wins and was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame.
Soon after the announcement of his passing, social media was flooded by people commenting on the “legend of all legends” as he was referred to by C.Y. Peters.
“Jesus is the King of Kings and Charlie is the Legends of Legends,” said Peters. “What a great man, great mind, and one of the most knowledgable men I ever spoke to. In a hundred years, they will be talking about the true Warrior Chief, Coach Charlie Bayless. Rest in peace my friend.”
“I am so sad; he was a legend,” said Judy Hyder. “I loved watching him during a game. There will never be another one like him.”
Hampton middle head coach Leon Tolley said he was fortunate to know Bayless and considered him a friend. “I certainly learned a great deal from him. I loved Rammer and will miss him greatly.”
This article will be updated with funeral arrangements as they are released.

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