Douglas Coleman James
Douglas Coleman James was born in Bragg City, Missouri, on February 21, 1942. He was the son of A.T. James and Mary Privett James.
He departed this life in Hayti, Missouri, on November 6, 2023. He was 81 years old.
Doug graduated from Deering School (now known as Delta C-7). He then went to Southern Baptist Christian College (now known as William Baptist) in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, and then to Arkansas State University where he got his bachelor’s degree in education. He dreamed from a very young age of being a coach. He lived that dream for 41 years as a coach and then continued keeping the scorebooks for two more years. He absolutely loved sports. The St. Louis Cardinals were his favorites, and he could tell you every player’s name.
He loved his family dearly and Christmas was a special time for him to spend with them. Coach was known for loving to eat. He passed that love on to his son, Brian.
Doug was an active member of the Delta Ruritan Club beginning in 1998 but actually had helped them for many years before becoming an “official member.”
He was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church.
He is survived by two sisters: Jeanette Bradshaw (Charles) & Alice Reis; one niece: Pam Pharris; one nephew: Terry Bradshaw; three great nephews: Lane Bradshaw (Shelby), Clayton Bradshaw, & Blake Bradshaw; special cousins who were always there for him: Martha James, Kim Suddeth, Karen Turley; special friends that always were there for “Coach”: Dwight Blankenship & Michael Tomlinson; and other relatives and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son – Brian James, who he will be buried beside at Maple Cemetery in Caruthersville, Missouri.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Coach James Gymnasium at Delta C-7 High School in Deering, Missouri, with Brother John Brown officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Interment to follow service in Maple Cemetery.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Delta Ruritan Club in Coach’s name for a scholarship that will go to a worthy student.
