Al “Coach” Rabb, Jr.
Al “Coach” Rabb, Jr., 69, peacefully passed away Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont. He was born February 16, 1953, to Alton J. Rabb, Sr. and Patti Duhon Rabb.
Al was fondly known as “Coach” to the many, many young people that he inspired and the fellowship and brotherhood of his fellow coaches. A 40-year coaching career saw him on the sidelines for some of the most important moments in local football history, including the 1982 West Brook state title win and the first Beaumont Bowl in 1986. His football story began as a player, leading Beaumont French High School as the quarterback from 1968-71. He then walked on at Lamar University, earning a full scholarship from coach Vernon Glass his freshman season. He played three years for the Cardinals and then became a coach. Al took a job at Vidor Middle School in 1975 but soon moved to Warren to work as the Warriors’ offensive coordinator under coach Gene Isabell. He was hired in 1978 as the quarterbacks and receivers coach at Forest Park High School. Coach then served on the staff at West Brook when Forest Park merged with Hebert High School in 1982. Al eventually took over as head coach at West Brook, holding that position from 1997-2004. In 2005, he moved to administration, becoming the assistant athletic director for Beaumont ISD. However, that wasn’t the end of his coaching career. He was named the head football coach and athletic director at Monsignor Kelly High School in 2013, a position he held for three seasons before retiring from coaching in 2016.
Al also enjoyed the times that he spent serving on the ACTS teams for retreats through St. Anne Catholic Church but also as the faculty chaplain to students at Monsignor Kelly High School. He was so inspired by the ACTS retreats where he served at the prison in Beaumont. This was a very inspirational part of his life.
In his spare time, Al loved to hunt with his brother-in-law, Rick Sklar, and fishing as a boy with his parents and later with his wife, Terri. He also loved the outdoors spending time with family and friends, such as Web Broughton. He particularly loved his dear wife, Terri, children, Kari, Stephanie, Todd, and all of those beautiful grandchildren.
Al is survived by his wife, Terri; daughters, Kari-Rabb Hillin from Beaumont and Stephanie Presley and her husband, Todd, from Wales, UK; grandchildren, Logan Hillin and wife, Desiree, Lance Hillin, Adam Presley, Isabella Presley, Eli Presley, and Summer Jane Presley; and great-granddaughter, Amelia Hillin.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alton Rabb, Sr. and Patty Duhon Rabb along with sister, Zoe Reynard.
A gathering of Coach Rabb’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 29, 2022, at St. Anne Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 30, 2022, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
All are welcome to join the family for a reception at St. Anne Parish Hall following his interment.
Memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA of Texas, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, Texas 75212 donate online; the Blain Padgett Memorial Scholarship, 24891 Highway 105, Sour Lake, Texas 77659 donate online; or The Eli Project, WMM P.O. Box 12609, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73157-Earmark Eli Project 30141M donate online.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
St. Anne Catholic Church
- 2715, Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- September 29, 2022
- 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Anne Catholic Church
- 2715, Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- September 30, 2022
- 10:00 am
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
Reception Following His Interment
St. Anne Catholic Church Parish Hall
- 2715, Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77702,
- September 30, 2022
My sincerest condolences to Coach Rabb’s family. He was my high school teacher at Westbrook in 1997-1998. Coach Rabb was one of my favoritest teachers. He was a very kind and honest Christian man. All of his students loved him for his kind and witty personality. We have fond memories of him. May he rest in Eternal Peace.
Coach Rabb was my football and baseball coach 1979-1983 and I still have that that image of him in my mind. I have great memories of him as I’m sure 1000’s of others do. From freshman football practice to baseball tournaments, he worked us hard and made it fun.
May his memory be eternal.
Terri – I’m so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. Sending many prayers and hugs your way.
Love,
Shana
Hugh and I had the pleasure of meeting Al at a Conroe High School Reunion, 10 years ago. Terri and I were cheerleaders together, and we remain dear friends still. In reading Al’s background, we marveled at the many accomplishments, and the true mentorship he provided to so many. My prayers are with Terri and all family today and always. May God Rest Al’s soul, and bring his family peace.
Al was a great man to know and work with. He taught me a lot about being a coach and Christian at the same time. Love you brother. Our prayers go out for Terri and family.
To the family, we are praying for you and I really enjoyed working with Coach Rabb , he was a awesome person and coach who loved his players. We will truly miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great sorrow.
Sincerely
Mike mcaleer
Coach Rabb, my quarterbacks Coach for 3 yrs. Was a great pleasure studying the game under you.. Great man, great Coach, and a true leader. Gonna miss u Coach. Was my great honor just getting to know him as not only my football coach but a true friend of mines. Mrs. Terri, my deepest condolences to u and the family.
You will be miss but not forgotten. I remember our first football game and how intensed he was and he wasn’t playing. Al always wanted the players to be successful on the field and off the field. Al was a good person. He was the type of person you wanted to be around. My prayers are with the Rabb family.
Coach rabb will be greatly missed. He was one of my favorite coaches at west Brook. I learned a lot about the offense side of football from him. He always had a great Christian attitude towards people.
My father, Vernon Glass, coached Al at Lamar University during the early 70’s and developed a respect and admiration for Al, as a player and as a young man. He often spoke very highly of him. And his friendship during a brief time after college allowed me to see his exemplary character. May his family feel God’s peace and love in the days to come.
My sincere condolences to Al’s family. He will be missed. I’ve known Al all my life, we were neighbors, living 2 houses down from each other. We also went to church & school together at St. Pius X, then on to high school at French, although he was 2 years younger than me, we shared a love of baseball, and, Al would come to my house, and knock on my door, and ask my Mama if Jennifer could come out and play ball! Sure enjoyed playing ball with him, any chance I got! RIP my old friend, job well done!
We are so sorry for you, Terri, and Stephanie and all the kids and family. Al was a kind and wonderful soul. Fortunately, His faith and hope was in Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life.
May the Lord be very near to you all.
– Harold & Kathleen Presley
Our condolences and prayers are with you all at this time. We’re so sorry for your loss and may God’s comfort surround you today and in the days ahead.
– Samuel, Bethany, Isaac, Philip and Lydia
A life well lived with many lives touched. A good friend since first grade at St. Pius in ’58. Southeast Texas is a better place because of you, my friend. God Bless you. Our thoughts and prayers for Terri and the family. Al was, truly, a great man.
Prayers and sympathy for the family. Eternal rest grant unto him Lord and perpetual light shine upon him.
Personified Golden Rule; unflinchingly principled; unfailingly good-humored. Such was his nature.
So very sorry for the loss of a fellow French Buffalo. I always admired Al in Jr. Hi and High School as a leader and mentor to those who knew him. He will surely be missed in our community. Prayers of comfort to his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Coach was a wonderful man and I know he will be missed so much. Thank you so much for putting my sons scholarship fund for your memorial contributions. Blain loved football and so did my husband Michael and it is such an honor to be listed under your husband’s obituary. Thank you so much in advance for all the donations and the support
My brother and my friend and neighbor, we have talked about sports, fishing, hunting, family and Jesus over the years; and tasted venison and ways to cook it. I know you are going to be extremely missed and seeing you walking and Terri standing in the driveway waiting on you; you are what God ???? called (friend) a Schaller and a gentleman! RIP
Al Rabb was an exceptional example of a man – a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. He was a fair and supportive football coach with a state championship team the year it counted THE MOST. Well done…. and he was throughout his career and retirement a life coach and example. Terri, love and prayers to you and to your family.
Mrs. Terri,
On behalf of Dad and Mom and our family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. I remember Grandma bringing me along for all her hair appts and getting to go watch grandpa officiate. I know Gma and Gpa always talked highly of you both. All are missed!
Terry and I are so saddened by this news. Al was a great man, wonderful coach and good friend. We have known him for years. I will never forget how happy we were when he became head coach at West Brook. We were so proud of him. I can still see the pride in his mother’s eyes. Terri had a wonderful celebratory party for him. Thanks for the wonderful memories. We will treasure them! Terri, please know that our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. Much love to you.
Will miss our late lunches and trips to Pine Tree Lodge…we loved Al and love you Terri
I worked for Coach Rabb as a football official on Thursdays and Fridays. As the then Secretary of the Beaumont Chapter Football Officials Association, I can state without a doubt that Al was one of the coaches whom we all enjoyed working for. He will be missed.
I worked with Al at Vidor Junior High when he first started his career. He was a true gentleman and a fine coach. He impressed me with his wonderful teaching skills and being a role model for the young men that were under his direction. I am blessed for having known him. May our Lord bring comfort to your family and friends. Linda Thomas
I was very fortunate to get to know Coach Rabb during my six years(2002 -2008) as president of the the WB Football Boosters.
Coach lead by example, father figure to those that didnt have a father,and made his Football players better men. AL was a friend that blessedme and all that knew him.
One of our coaching greats. I have known Al for over 40 years. We coached together at Forest Park, then West Brook and remained close friends since. A true gentleman and great mentor that cannot be replaced. I love and will personally miss you.
Jessie “JD” White
Thanks coach Rabb for the advice and encouragement you’ve given me concerning my boys. Rest In Peace.
Terri. My Prayers are with you.
Terri : Rich and I are very sorry to hear about Al’s passing. Al was a very kind man, an inspiration to all of the young men who had the privilege of being under his tutelage. I enjoyed my conversations with him in your shop during those few times when my appointments coincided with his visits to see you. May God bless and rest Al’s soul, and may all of your memories of Al richly bless you.
Su-San and Rich Strandberg
This breaks my heart. What can you say about a Man who not only taught but showed in action how to be a man of character. He was more than just a coach to those of us who played for him. He was a mentor and we would not be the Men we are today if not for Men like him. Godspeed Sir you will be missed but the Legacy you have left is an even greater testament of who you are.