CEDAR PARK - Derward Thayne "Red" Amonett, 86, formerly of Lubbock, died Thursday, May 25, 2006.

Celebration of life services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. John's United Methodist Church of Lubbock. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock by Rix Funeral Directors of Lubbock.

After 86 joyful years, Mr. Amonett passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 25, in Cedar Park.

The youngest of 10 siblings, Thayne was born to Elmira Octivie Irwin and John Alvis Amonett on Dec. 29, 1919, in Beaty. The family moved several times before settling in Flomot. Thayne participated in various school athletic events, which would help him gain notoriety in his college career. After a stellar football career at Flomot High School, Thayne moved on to play at Texas Technological College. Burl Huffman delighted in introducing Thayne as the "Flomot Flash who flattened Floydada Friday; fans feel flabbergasted." To the end of his life, Thayne delighted in proclaiming that phrase to all he met.

World War II interrupted his education, and he served as a warrant officer with the Army Air Corps in England during the war. After completing a degree in education at Texas Tech, his former coach, Pete Cawthon, recruited Thayne to play for the Detroit Lions. He then went on to coach football at Matador, Ralls, Crowell and Wellington. He is still remembered by many across West Texas as "Coach Amonett." After a 34 year career as an educator, coach, principal and superintendent, Thayne retired in 1982 from Lubbock Independent School District.

In addition to his distinguished coaching career, Thayne was a loving father and grandfather, always finding time to attend athletic events and band trips. He was a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat who loved provoking arguments with the local Republicans. During his later years, he was a devoted fan at Texas Tech football and basketball games and loved to eat at 50-Yard Line and Black-Eyed Pea. Thayne will be remembered for his humor, his love for his family and his devotion to Texas Tech football.

Thayne will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Maxine Johnson Amonett.

Survivors include a son, Randall Thayne and wife Donna of Big Spring; a daughter, Robin Kay Greene and husband Joe of Cedar Park; three grandsons, James Ashley Amonett of Upland, Calif., and children Mackenzie and Emily and Aaron Aston and wife Stephanie and children Britney, Courtney and Lindsey and Andrew Aston and wife Janis and children Brandon, Christopher and Nathan, all of San Antonio; three granddaughters Amy, Kayla and Melyssa Greene and son Rylee, all of Cedar Park; his beloved companion, Evelyn Schmoekel of Lubbock; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be to the Red Raider Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 45055, Lubbock, TX 79409-5055; the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 112, Midland, TX 79702-0112; or the Prader-Willi Syndrome Foundation, in care of Derek Snitker, P.O. Box 578, Coppell, TX 75019.