Tooele boys basketball coach Gary Alverson, 59, passed away in his home Tuesday following a 14-month battle with lung cancer caused by asbestos.
Often regarded as one of the nicest guys in the coaching profession, Alverson won 303 games during a coaching career that lasted over 30 years. He coached Bonneville to state titles in 1985 and 1987, and last year coached his alma mater to the 3A title in just his third season as Tooele's head coach.
Despite the painful side effects of cancer and chemotherapy, Alverson never missed a game until last Friday. Tooele principal Michael Westover said after a lifetime of service coaching young men, he decided to spend his last days with his family.
Last Wednesday, Tooele honored Alverson in a 15-minute ceremony prior to the game against Grantsville.
With Alverson sitting in his wheelchair at midcourt, surrounded by well over 50 family and friends, Tooele retired his No. 55 high school jersey, as well as unveiling the 2005 state championship banner.
After the tribute, liked he'd done 302 other times in his career, he proceeded to coach his team to another victory. After the game, he stood up, walked to midcourt and waived to the Tooele student section one last time.
Alverson leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Lois, as well as five sons and one daughter. He also has nine grandchildren.
"He's been a wonderful husband and father, and those things are very important to him. I think for a man, he's been an exceptionally good friend to a lot of other men. Not only in coaching, but in our church, and some of his friends from high school," said Lois Alverson at last week's tribute for her husband. "I don't know anybody who has anything bad to say about Gary."
As a young man, Alverson came in contact with asbestos while working at a smelter in Tooele. Last December, a cough that he just figured was pneumonia, turned out to be much more serious. A biopsy revealed cancer in one of his lungs, and he immediately began chemotherapy.
Amazingly, he never missed a practice, and ultimately guided Tooele to its first basketball state championship with a stunning upset of heavily-favored Wasatch.
Through it all, he's maintained a positive outlook on life.
"He's never complained, and the fact he's never complained and said anything negative through this whole ordeal is inspiring," said Tooele guard Mike Holt. "I hope (last Wednesday) meant a lot to him, to show him that we love him."
Alverson's funeral arrangements are still pending.