Fairfield high school coach and teacher Linda Melontree was found dead at her home last Thursday night.

The 50-year-old mother of former FHS athlete Nolan Melontree had complained earlier in the week of chest pains, says peace justice Theresa Farris, and had actually set up an appointment, but didn’t live long enough to visit the doctor.

Her body was discovered Thursday night by a friend checking on Coach Melontree who hadn’t returned the friend’s calls.

Fairfield Police Sgt. Larry Warren says the friend didn’t get an answer at the front door, so went around to a sliding door and saw Coach Melontree lying on the floor. She shouted, but didn’t get a response, and called 9-1-1 at 11:40 p.m.

Judge Farris pronounced the educator dead at the scene.

“It looks like a possible heart attack, but it is still under investigation at this point,” Judge Farris says. “We have sent the body for autopsy.”

Results should be available this week.

Coach Melontree was a professional educator certified in world geography, which she taught at FHS, health, all levels of physical education and driver’s education.

She attended the University of Houston and Stephen F. Austin State University, and had taught school for 26 years, beginning in Fairfield in 1983.

For several years she was an assistant girls’ coach in Fairfield and served as Lady Eagles head volleyball coach until getting out of coaching.