Teeman Haithcock Obituary

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Teeman Haithcock (Robbins, North Carolina), who passed away, on April 25, 2018. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Teeman Haithcock to show support.

Tee"man P. Haithcock passed away on April 25, 2018. He was born October 21, 1934, to Exie and William P. Haithcock in Robbins, NC, and attended Elise High School graduating in 1952. His mother, father, and brother (Beryl) preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Sara Poling, of Pinehurst, NC, and wife, Faye, of 57 years; daughter, Teemi Caskey (Perry), of Ellerslie, GA; son, Stan Haithcock (Christine), of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and granddaughters, Alexa Caskey of Maui, HI, and Brielle and Brenna Haithcock, both currently enrolled in college. Tee led his high school basketball team to the North Carolina State Championship game as a senior. He was selected to play in the NC East-West All Star game in Winston-Salem before entering Appalachian State University on a basketball scholarship. He played there from 1952-1956 and graduated with a BS degree in mathematics. He was selected to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" in 1956, was President of Freshman class and on the Student Council (3 years) while being a very prominent member of the basketball program. After graduating, he returned to Robbins to teach and coach. He had great success winning conference championships and having teams reach high levels in state play. Many of his players played in college and later became coaches. Tee returned to Appalachian in 1960 to become assistant basketball coach and while there he earned a Masters Degree in Administration. He also met and married Faye Garrison, a graduating senior who was also successful in basketball having played in the girls' North Carolina East-West game in 1957. Tee and Faye moved to Milford, Delaware in 1968 where he coached basketball and baseball. His teams won conference championships each year, and he was selected "Coach of the Year" for the State of Delaware. He later became Principal of Milford Senior High and served in that capacity for several years. Basketball came calling again when he was offered the coaching position at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC. He also served as Athletic Director, Supervisor of P.E. and Director of Intramurals. While there, a new P.E. building and swimming areas were constructed. He also was selected Coach of the Year in their basketball conference. Tee and Faye decided in 1975 they should watch their kids play in junior high, senior high and college so they returned to public school teaching in Gaston, NC. He soon realized that the time clock for basketball should be modernized (USA-Russia Olympics in 1972). With the aid of an electrical engineer, he developed the "Whistle-Stop Timer" which is now used in most college conferences, the NBA and the Olympics. In 2002, Dean Smith (UNC BB Coach) recommended Tee to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA stating, "Tee Haithcock definitely improved the game of basketball." He and his invention were placed in the "Hall." Tee had a "Fun"eral on his 80th birthday to celebrate his life. The celebration was to take the place of a regular funeral service and he really felt his life was special with his family, friends, jobs and meeting so many wonderful people in education and athletics. Since 2000 the Haithcocks have enjoyed many years in St. Augustine, FL near family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to any cancer organization of your choice.