Friends and students mourn teacher’s passing

By CAITLIN SULLIVAN/Staff

The sheer number of friends, students and mourners who turned out to pay tribute to Phil Lineberry last week at Holston High School is evidence enough of his impact on the community.
Between 200 and 400 people attended a funeral service for the late Holston wrestling coach, ag teacher, FFA adviser and local Soil and Water Conservation director.
“I rarely saw him without a glint of a smile in his eye,” said Washington County School Superintendent Alan Lee.
According to his obituary, the 61-year-old Glade Spring resident died Dec. 23 at Johnston Memorial Hospital. He had worked for 39 years at Holston High School and served as assistant and later head coach of the wrestling program. His obituary also said he helped with the development of a new agricultural-science program, Aqua Culture, at the high school and he was an adjunct instructor at Virginia Highlands Community College.
“He always seemed to have a heart for the young people,” said County Extension Agent Phil Blevins.
In November, Lineberry was re-elected as one of three directors for Holston River District Soil and Water Conservation.
“He was as laid back as they come,” said Holston River District Soil and Water Conservation Specialist Wayne Turley. “It’s going to be hard to fill his shoes.”
Turley said the local Soil and Water Conservation Board will nominate a new director and the state board should confirm the choice in January.
Lee said he was often touched by the impact Lineberry had on students’ lives.
“Hopefully there is somebody there for every child,” he said. “For a number of children, Phil Lineberry was their advocate.”