December 28, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
Legendary former high school basketball coach Harold Luna passed away Monday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville at the age of 85.
Luna coached both boys and girls at DeKalb County High School from 1964-69, then began coaching the boys program only until 1984. His total record was 516-179.
Mr. Luna was born on December 1, 1937 to his parents, the late Brackett & Era Barnes Luna. Also preceding him in death is his wife, Lynda Luna & a sister, Ponzell Usery. Mr. Luna, or “Coach Luna” as he was affectionally known, was a teacher, member of the Retired Teachers Association, TSSAA Coaches Association & the New Union The Baptist Church.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 2pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation with the Luna family will be on Wednesday, from 1:00pm until 7:00pm and on Thursday, from 9:00am until the service time at 2:00pm. Bro. Keith Sims and Gary McBride will officiate and burial will be in New Union Cemetery.
Survivors include 2 Sons, Rocky (Julie) Luna of Omaha, NE & Bradley “Buck” Luna of Smithville, TN. 8 Grandchildren, Courtney (Chris) Blanchard of Manchester, TN, Alexis Krehbiel, Lindsay Krehbiel, Luke Krehbiel, Abby Krehbiel, Dylan Luna, Natalie Krehbiel & Ainsley Krehbiel all of Omaha, NE.3 Great Grandchildren, Delaney, Lorelai & Rheagan Blanchard all of Manchester, TN. 1 Sister, Mary Louise Wright of Smithville, TN.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
In February, 2015 DCHS paid tribute to a few of its basketball legends presenting the former players and Coach Luna with banners that hang in the school gymnasium. The ceremony was held between the Tigers and Lady Tigers game against Cannon County on February 5th, 2015.
Along with Coach Luna, former DeKalb Basketball Tigerette Betty Carol Fite, and Lady Tigers’ Mary Ann Puckett and Cynthia Woodward were recognized along with former Tigers Danny Foutch and Kevin James. Fite could not attend the ceremony.
The honorees stepped onto the court alongside banners held by current DCHS basketball players that featured their name and jersey number. DCHS basketball announcer Chris Vance then cited their high school career accomplishments. Coach Luna’s banner bore his overall 516-179 win-loss record.
Each player was met with applause from the night’s crowd, but Coach Luna received the most enthusiastic reception. The standing ovation brought the former coach to tears.