Longtime alderman Ulysses “Coach” Howell passed away Saturday night due to complications of a stroke he suffered Friday morning.

In a midnight tweet, Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill shared news of Howell’s death, saying the announcement came with great sadness. Tannehill had previously posted that Howell was in critical condition, surrounded by family in his Memphis hospital room.

“When I can see past the tears, I will share more,” Tannehill said in the tweet. “For now, I will simply say that the world lost a bright light. a compassionate leader and an incredible man. I lost a confidant and a dear friend.”

Howell, affectionately called “Coach” by those who knew him, was a Brandon native who called Oxford home for many years.

He began working for Oxford School District in 1972, when he was hired as a coach and social studies teacher, and ultimately retired as assistant principal at Oxford High School after 37 years.

Howell served as Ward 4 alderman for the City of Oxford for 26 years, making him the longest-serving alderman on the board. He was also mayor pro-tem, making him second in command at the City. In a 2017 profile in the EAGLE, Howell expressed his love for the LOU Community.

“You’re only as good as the people you’re surrounded with, and I’m surrounded by a lot of good people,” he said in the story. “Not just the people in my ward, but also my fellow aldermen and the mayors I’ve had the privilege of working with.”

This is a developing story. Arrangements will be announced in the EAGLE as they become available.