JIM BLAKE

          DURHAM—Long-time teacher, coach and administrator Jim Blake died last Thursday at the age of 86.

         Blake was born in Durham and spent 30 years of his career teaching, coaching and serving as athletic director at Southern Durham High School, spanning the years from 1955 through ’85, including 10 years as an assistant principal.  His 1958-59 basketball team was the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A runner-up.

         He continued to work part-time for several years at Southern Durham after his official retirement.  He received a Distinguished Service Award from the NCHSAA in 1991. 

         Jim was very active in the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association, serving as president of the organization in 1984-85, and also served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Coaches Association. He was the NCADA Athletic Director of the Year in 1981-82.

         He was a graduate of Chapel Hill High School and earned his undergraduate degree in physical education and English at East Carolina.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. today (Monday) at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham with Chaplain Phil Wiggins and Rev. Jim Baggett officiating. Burial will follow in Markham Memorial Gardens. 

 

DAVID PRICE

            CHARLOTTE—David Price, who created an enviable record as a high school basketball coach at South Mecklenburg, died last Thursday at his home at the age of 85.

            Born in Waynesville, Dave went on to his coaching career after graduating from college and serving four years in the Navy during the Korean War. He moved to South Mecklenburg in 1959, where he taught and coached for 26 years. He became men’s varsity basketball coach in 1964 and guided his program to four North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championships and also coached in the North Carolina Coaches Association all-star game in 1972.

            After retiring from public education, Price coached at Providence Day and coached his team to a couple of independent school association championships.

            He was a member of Pineville United Methodist Church for 56 years and was very active there.  The funeral was held there on Sunday. Donations may be made in his memory to Pineville United Methodist Church.