BILLINGS — John Alberta, who in 1979 coached Billings Senior to a state football championship, died in Billings on April 1 at the age of 91.
Alberta was a longtime teacher and coach at Senior and served as the Broncs' head football coach from 1971-81. In 1979, Alberta guided Senior to a 34-28 victory over Great Falls CMR in the Class AA state title game at Daylis Stadium in Billings, which marked the program's first title victory since 1947.
Alberta was born in Red Lodge on Feb. 26, 1932. According to his obituary, Alberta graduated from Carbon County High School before earning a college degree from Chadron State in Nebraska. He served in the U.S. armed forces in Korea from 1952-53.
According to his son Brad, Alberta was a teacher and coach in Gillette, Wyoming, before being hired at Billings Senior in 1971 where he remained until his retirement.
A reception for Alberta, an avid golfer, will take place on April 15 at 4 p.m. at the Lake Hills Golf Course. Alberta's memorial service was held April 8 at Atonement Lutheran Church in Billings' Heights.
