William Joseph "Jack" Tayrien was born December 1, 1938, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and was welcomed into the loving embrace of Jesus Christ on June 28, 2026 in Granbury, Texas. For ten years, with the steadfast support of his family, Jack faced the difficult journey of dementia with resilience, grace, and quiet strength. He lived as a devoted son, husband, brother, father, coach, teacher, and friend-an encourager at heart, known for his compassionate ear, uplifting words, and genuine enthusiasm for life. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former students, athletes, and all who were blessed to know him.

Jack is survived by his brother, Terry Tayrien, and wife, Jodi, of Virginia; his two loving daughters and sons-in-law, Shawn and Bruce Martin of Godley, Texas, and Leslea and David Swanson of Westminster, Colorado; numerous nieces and nephews; and a wide circle of dear friends. He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Amy Marshall; Jennifer Henderson and her husband, Justin; KayLee Conley and her husband, Jake; Emma Grace Martin and her husband, Nick Akerstein; Blaine Swanson and his wife, Kimmer; Tayrien Holocher and her husband, Ryan; and Reese Swanson and his wife, Kelly. His ten great-grandchildren-Ty Milam, Avery Henderson, Colt Key, Madison Marshall, Brynlea Marshall, Luke Marshall, Tybee Holocher, Hudson Holocher, Breck Swanson, and Tesslyn Swanson-were a special joy in his life. Jack and his family also shared a lasting bond with the "Mullet" family, a lifelong group of coaching families who walked together through the highs and lows of life, forming friendships that began in the early 1960s and continue today.

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved father and mother, John Sylvester Tayrien and Gladys McBride Tayrien; his brother, John Tayrien; his sisters, Joann Banfield and Janet Roe; and his cherished wife of 54 years, Ann Taylor Tayrien.

An athlete at Odessa High School, Jack competed in track and field and basketball, but football became his passion. As a guard and tackle under his high school coach, Hayden Fry, Jack learned that sportsmanship, discipline, and character mattered even more than winning. After graduating in 1957, he played two seasons for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and participated in the inaugural Bluegrass Bowl in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 13, 1958. In 1959, he transferred to the then-University of Corpus Christi, where he played for the Tarpons and completed his education as a graduate coaching assistant.

Jack's coaching career began in 1962 at Goliad Junior High in Big Spring, Texas, marking the start of 37 years coaching high school and college football. His journey took him from Goliad Junior High to Big Spring High School, across the Texas Panhandle with the Lockney Longhorns and Frenship Tigers, and south to the Gulf Coast with the Bishop Badgers. True to a promise he made to his daughters, he remained at Bishop until both had graduated from high school. Immediately after Leslea's graduation in 1980, Jack packed the U-Haul and joined Coach Spike Dykes and the Midland Lee Rebels.

When Jack later became head coach at Midland Lee, his Rebels achieved remarkable success, including a quarterfinal appearance in 1984 and a regional finals appearance in 1985, with an impressive 22-7 record over two seasons. His accomplishments in Midland led him to serve as secondary coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1986 to 1989. He then returned to Midland as the athletic director for Midland ISD before rejoining Texas Tech University in 1993, when Coach Spike Dykes appointed him director of football operations and recruiting coordinator. He later became offensive backfield coach in 1997 and concluded his coaching career in 1999.

Jack had the honor of serving on the boards of directors for the Texas High School Coaches Association and the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. In recognition of his lifelong dedication, Coach Tayrien was inducted into the 2010 class of the THSCA Hall of Honors. He believed success in coaching was a shared effort, built through the commitment of coaching staffs, athletes, families, schools, and communities. Coach T cared deeply for his players and students, making each person feel valued and included. He led with hope, encouragement, discipline, and a radiant smile that stayed with him to the end. Even in his final days, he continued to uplift his caregivers and recognize the care they gave him.

Coach Tayrien always concluded the pregame rally with a team prayer, one that lives on in the hearts of many players and coaches alike.

"Pray. Pray in your own way. Pray not to win, for God willing, we shall. Pray that you can give 100% of your body. Pray that no person on either team gets seriously injured. Thank God He has allowed you to play for this high school; I thank God He has allowed me to coach you. Good luck! God bless you! I love you! Now, LET'S GO GET 'EM!"

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who supported Jack during his ten-year journey with dementia: Senior Care Services of Cleburne, Texas; Bridgewater Memory Care in Granbury, Texas, for their patience and kindness; and Beyond Faith Hospice Care, for comforting Jack as he crossed into the end zone when the game clock showed 0:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org.

A memorial service will be held beginning at 12:00pm on August 8, 2026 at Rosser Funeral Home, 1664 West Henderson Street, Cleburne, TX 76033, immediately followed by a celebration of life at the home of Bruce and Shawn Martin.