RIPLEY – Former Northwest alumnus and men's basketball student-athlete Joe Mack Bingham (80) passed away on April 11 at the age of 80.

Bingham was laid to rest during a private memorial on April 16 in his hometown of Ashland in Benton County.

After a successful varsity career at Ashland High School, Bingham arrived at Northwest and played for two seasons under Bill Oakley from 1958-60. During his freshman campaign, the Rangers compiled a 14-8 overall record.

Bingham played alongside fellow Ranger legends Kenny Hunt (Delta State) and Don Randolph (Memphis), both of whom have been enshrined into the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame.

After departing Northwest, Bingham served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and later worked as a firefighter for the Memphis Fire Department for 30 years. He was involved in Harley-Davidson motorcycles his entire life and was an avid photographer, history buff and a member of many groups promoting history and preservation.

Bingham is survived by his former wife, Frances M. Powell; his three children: Marty Bingham of Whiteville, Tenn., Vicki Hedrick and husband Terry Hedrick of Bolivar, Tenn., and Michael Bingham of Whiteville, Tenn.; his two sisters: Sara Bingham and Peggy Bingham of Ashland, Miss.; and six grandchildren: Erica Holbrook, Aaron Bingham, Alex Bingham, Christian Bingham, Olivia Bingham and Emma Bingham.