Page 31 - Coffee County Board of Education - Recruitment Brochure

County Alliance for the Arts
organization and local
dance organizations.
The performing arts center
is named in memory of Clayton
W. Mathis, who began his
teaching career on the campus
of Coffee High School in 1966
as a history teacher. Upon his
retirement in 1998, he had
dedicated his entire educational
career of 32 years to the
Coffee County School System.
Teaching, coaching, and serving
as a principal at all levels, Mr.
Mathis touched many lives of
students and most especially
as the principal of Coffee High
School. Mr. Mathis passed away
May 7, 2016.
The auditorium of the
performing arts center will be
named in memory of Mr. John
M. Maley, who served as the
band director of the Coffee
High Marching Band. Originally
known as the Comets before
the Trojans, Mr. Maley built the
band into one of the largest
bands around. He brought
innovative ideas to half-time
shows with music of the day
from the Beatles, Herman
Hermits, and James Brown,
to name a few. Mr. Maley was
a passionate football fan.
He could see a touchdown
developing and have the band
ready with the fight song the
moment the referees signaled.
Mr. Maley retired in 1985 but
continued to perform with
friends and family. He passed
away October 4, 2004.

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