John Warren Bane, age 68, a resident of Texarkana, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Chi St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife Marie by his side. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, coach, and mentor. Warren was born November 7, 1957, in Morrilton, Arkansas to the late Robert and LaVerne Bane. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to education, athletics, and, above all, the people and communities he served.
Warren graduated from Plumerville High School in 1976, where he participated in basketball and was an All-District basketball player. He also played American Legion baseball in Morrilton, where he was selected to the All-Star team twice. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Central Arkansas, Conway in 1981, where he played baseball for two years, and later received a Master of Science in Education from Henderson State University in 1996.
Warren began his coaching career at Gillham High School in 1981, serving as head basketball coach for four years where he led the boys team to the school’s only district championship, while his girls team finished as district runners-up.
The highlight of Warren’s career was his time spent at Lockesburg, where he served as head coach and athletic director for 15 years. Lockesburg was always a special place for Warren, the school he associated with when inducted into the State of Arkansas coaches Hall of Fame. He later went on to coach at Nemo Vista High School, Blevins, and Mineral Springs.
After serving as principal of Saratoga and Mountainburg, Warren spent time as an educational consultant and a year as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Southern Arkansas University.
His accomplishments and influence extended well beyond the basketball court. Warren served 12 years on the AHSCA Executive Committee which included several years as president. He was named 4-States Area Coach of the Year twice, 4-States Conference Coach of the Year 13 times, and an All-Star nominee 11 times. He was selected twice as an AHSCA All-Star Coach and, in 2015, was inducted into the Southwest Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame. In 2018 he achieved his crowning achievement when he was inducted into the State of Arkansas high school coaches Hall of Fame.
Warren also founded Arkansas Prep Hoops, a high school basketball website, in 2001. After five years of retirement, his love of basketball led him back to coaching when he accepted a position with UA Cossatot Community College as head coach and started a new basketball program.
While Warren’s professional accomplishments were remarkable, his greatest pride was his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie Millay Bane, whom he loved and cherished for 12 years, 4 of them married. To others he was “Coach” but to her he was simply Warren.
He is also survived by his bonus daughter Mariel Pickett and son-in-law Erik; three grandchildren, Liv, Ace, and Luke Pickett; sister Karen King and brother-in-law David; sister-in-law Barbara Schell and brother-in-law John Preston; a nephew, niece, a number of great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins as well as a host of many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Grace LaVerne Bane; father Robert Bane; brother Keith Bane; and sister Nancy Neighbors.
Those who knew Warren will remember him for his generous heart, sense of humor, competitive spirit, loyalty, love of family, passion for coaching, and willingness to mentor young people. For Warren, coaching was about much more than wins and championships. It was about teaching young people discipline, confidence, perseverance, and the value of believing in themselves.
Away from the court, Warren enjoyed watching sports, cooking, and spending time talking with family, friends, and colleagues. He certainly had the gift of gab. He especially loved spending holidays with his family, searching the bargain aisle at Walmart for a good deal, cooking for his family, teaching his grandchildren how to shoot hoops and golf, watching his grandchildren participate in soccer and cheer competition, loving his doggie babies Hershey and Gracie, and attending his monthly retired coaches luncheons.
Warren leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the many victories recorded in his coaching career. He touched the lives of countless students, athletes, fellow educators, friends, and family members. His influence will continue through the people he taught, coached, encouraged, and loved.
A celebration of Warren’s life will be held in the Wilkerson Funeral Home chapel on Saturday August 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Chris Schroeder officiating. Public visitation will commence at 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. A private family graveside service and burial will be held in Texarkana.
Memorial contributions may be made to UACCH/Cossatot Community College Lockesburg campus basketball program in Warren’s memory.
You may leave a condolence online at www.wilkersonfuneralhomes.com