Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 19, 1993 TAG: 9308190328
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BOB McLELLAND
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While they were rarely earth-shaking, the experiences showed a Jimmy who for more than 73 years lived a truly Christian life. He had the tenacity of a bulldog but the humbleness and gentleness of a saint.
That life departed Earth on June 14, when Jimmy could no longer battle cancer and many other ailments.
Even in his final months, Jimmy never complained or asked, "Why me?"
He always managed a smile and kind word for all who visited him. He was the one who did the cheering up, and you always left him feeling much better for having been in his company.
I guess my first real experiences with Jimmy were his coaching days at the old Troutville High.
Jimmy was THE COACH. He handled all sports and even swept out the gym. He was responsible for Troutville's first lighted athletic field.
His fine basketball teams first caught my notice as a sportswriter. I used to work his Troutville basketball games with the late Fred Smith, who had coached Jimmy at Roanoke College and later got Jimmy to join him at William Fleming High School.
Back in those days, Troutville would hold raffles at halftime. I often thought Jimmy was behind the fact that Smith always won one of the prizes.
Jimmy also enjoyed a fine coaching career at Fleming, where he was head basketball coach and a football assistant. His main goal was making sure that his athletes were prepared better for future life, not winning games and trophies.
I never heard Jimmy speak unkindly of any of his players. He demanded the best from them and that they play as a team and by the rules. A game won by unfair means was, to him, a game lost.
Jimmy was popular with rival coaches, too. They loved him and admired his coaching methods, as evidenced by those who kept in touch with him and by those packed the funeral chapel at his memorial.
Even in his final months, Jimmy was ready and willing to go the extra mile for his friends. I can remember this past spring, during the high school tournament at the Salem Civic Center, my wife, Barbara, and I spotted Jimmy sitting across the floor with some friends. I told Barbara that I would go over at halftime to speak to Jimmy. But before I could do it, here came Jimmy, ambling along, flashing his broad smile and joining us to trade a few stories to spice up the conversation.
Jimmy didn't have any children of his own. But Juanita, his loving and devoted wife of more than 47 years, always said Jimmy considered all his players and pupils "his kids."
Many people have many fond memories of Jimmy, and we all considered it a blessing to call him our friend. His spirit and love of his fellow man will live on.
And when I think of Jimmy's physical departure, I think of the Bible passage in 2 Timothy 4:6-7:
"For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time for departure has come; I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."
Bob McLelland is a retired sportswriter and editor for this paper\
by CNB