Former Belmont Heights Little League coach, Andrew James, passed away Monday, March 19th after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 77.

Coach James was a 1954 graduate of Middleton High School, and went on to attend Florida A&M University. His wife, Jacquelyn, said her husband was a gifted athlete, even while attending Booker T. Washington.

Although he coached baseball, the sport he played in school was basketball.

Mrs. James said her husband got involved in little league baseball when his sons, Marlon and Darryl, started playing.

“He coached them, and Marlon was on the first team that went to Williamsport for the Little League World Series,” said Mrs. James. “He first started coaching in 1969, and coached Dwight Gooden, Gary Sheffield, Vance Lovelace, Floyd Youmans, Derek Bell and many others. He also coached PAL football with Bobby Wilds.”

Coach James retired as a truck driver after spending 13 years at the Westinghouse plant. Mrs. James said more than anything, he enjoyed visiting the sick and shut-ins as a deacon at First Baptist Church of College Hill.

“He was really deeply involved in church activities, and as an international mason, he was Worshipful Master of Jim Wilson Lodge #121.”

Mrs. James said her husband suffered from a series of ailments over the years, and over the past two weeks, he had developed a terrible cough. “He was told years ago he had a heart murmur, but it was treated and never caused him any problems.

“On the day he passed, we were sitting in our family room talking when he complained about his chest hurting. I asked if he wanted to go to the hospital, or have his granddaughter come over since she’s a nurse. Later we did call an ambulance, and he passed away at the hospital.”

Mrs. James said they were married for 54 years, and were looking forward to their 55th anniversary on April 28th.

Coach James’ eldest son, Andrew James, Jr. (Two Man) passed away in 2009. He was also a Middleton graduate (class of 1971).

Services for Coach James will be held Saturday, 2 p. m. at First Baptist Church of College Hill. A wake is scheduled for Friday from 5 p. m. until 8 p. m. at the church.
Aiken’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.