Taylor Osborne Locke

Taylor “Tates” Locke passed away on May 15, 2024. He was born February 26,1937 to Ed and Glenna Locke and grew up in Batesville, Indiana. He lived in many places depending on where his career took him before ultimately settling in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

Tates was involved in basketball for the better part of 60 years. He was a dedicated coach, teacher, and mentor. He was a veteran of the United States Army, and it was during his time in service that he was named assistant basketball coach and then head basketball coach of the United States Military Academy Golden Knights at West Point. Other head coaching positions included Miami (Ohio), Clemson, Buffalo Braves (NBA), Jacksonville, and Indiana State. Besides the extensive coaching resume, his influence was felt by countless people including players, coaches, and mentees over the decades. It’s hard to find someone without a story beginning with “he helped me with” or “he helped me when.”

Throughout his life, he was an avid fisherman and golfer. He enjoyed spending time and telling stories with close friends, working with aspiring basketball players and coaches, and being a pivotal part of an extended family. His final days were spent surrounded by his close family.

He is survived by his wife Arminda “Mindy”; children John, Mike, Kathy; stepchildren, Helene and Randy; grandchildren, Shayne, Alex, Sydney, and Emily; great grandchildren, Emma, Elli, and John.

There will be a Celebration of Life on June 22, 5pm to 8pm at the St. Paul’s School Gymnasium, 212 5th Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

In lieu of flowers, donations dedicated in memory of Tates Locke can be made to Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (https://www.bgcnf.org ) or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida (https://www.bbbsnefl.org ).

A basketball scholarship is being established to assist children with attending basketball camps and training at Tommy Hulihan Basketball – Tates Locke Scholarship.   More information will be available soon at: https://tommyhulihanbasketball.com/coachlocke .