James Pinkney York, 86, died Sunday, October 28, 2007 at his home after a brief illness.
"Coach York" was a professor at Spartanburg Methodist (Junior) College where he chaired the division of Health and Physical Education, and coached basketball and baseball from 1957 until his retirement in 1984.
A native of Spartanburg, Jim was born on June 3, 1921, to the late Ida Mae (Dodd) York and Pinkney York.
He was also predeceased by his brother, Robert L. York and sister, Alice York.
In January, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the U. S. Navy and served for six years as Chief Petty Officer in Rikavik, Iceland, the Philippines and in occupied Japan.
He graduated from Spartanburg Junior College and Wofford College, and obtained a Master's in Health/Physical Education at Columbia University, New York, NY. He returned to Spartanburg and taught physical education at Cleveland Jr. High School and Fremont Elementary School before assuming his position at Spartanburg Junior College.
In 1947, he married Betty Fair Campbell (deceased) and is survived by their two daughters, Elizabeth Fair York and Sally Anita Giles, and one grandchild, Joy Claire Holden, all of Spartanburg. Surviving friends include Ms. Ramburg and her daughter, Gerhard Faulstick and family, and Garbe Anneliese.
He was a past member of the Second Presbyterian Church, a lifelong member of the YMCA, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post # 28, the Sertoma Club, the Shrine Club, and served in the Naval Reserve for twenty-three years. His service to the community also included organizing and managing recreational programs for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the City of Spartanburg. In 2002, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame. He could often be seen refereeing high school basketball games and umpiring baseball and softball games throughout the city. He was a mentor to the many young people he coached and instructed.
Visitation was 3:00-3:45 PM Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services followed at 4:00 PM at the Chapel conducted by Pastor Stephen Burns. Burial with military honors followed at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory could be made to the James P. York Endowed Scholarship Fund, Spartanburg Methodist College, 1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301.
Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel
Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
- - - - -
Longtime SMC Coach Dead at 86
Guided baseball, basketball teams from '57-'85
By Todd Shanesy
Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
Jim York had a nickname for everybody. It was his way of making things more personal and fun.
So shortly upon hearing the sad news that the longtime Spartanburg Methodist College baseball and basketball coach had passed away Sunday at age 86, the one York called "Tater" was able to smile.
Don Tate, who played baseball for York from 1964-65, is now director of development at SMC.
"I think the nicknames came about because he felt close to the players," Tate said Tuesday. "He'd have a story about all of them. He knew a lot about the players, their parents and the family history. And I guess because he was such an open and friendly person, everybody would let him in on things, too."
James Pinkney York died in his home. He was a Spartanburg native who coached at SMC (then Spartanburg Methodist Junior College) from 1957 until his retirement in 1985. York had also been a professor and chairman of the college's Heath and Physical Education department.
"He's a legend around here," SMC baseball coach Tim Wallace said.
York was also an umpire for high school baseball and softball games, as well as a basketball referee.
Five years ago, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame.
As a coach, York was known for giving special individual attention to his players and developing meaningful relationships.
"There wasn't any scholarship money available, so he would go out into the community and raise money for players and other students who needed help," Tate said. "He would really go to bat for people he knew.
"He always had the resources because he was so well-liked. Coach York was just a tremendous individual who cared for everybody on his team. His unselfishness is what I remember most about him."
"Coach York" was a professor at Spartanburg Methodist (Junior) College where he chaired the division of Health and Physical Education, and coached basketball and baseball from 1957 until his retirement in 1984.
A native of Spartanburg, Jim was born on June 3, 1921, to the late Ida Mae (Dodd) York and Pinkney York.
He was also predeceased by his brother, Robert L. York and sister, Alice York.
In January, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the U. S. Navy and served for six years as Chief Petty Officer in Rikavik, Iceland, the Philippines and in occupied Japan.
He graduated from Spartanburg Junior College and Wofford College, and obtained a Master's in Health/Physical Education at Columbia University, New York, NY. He returned to Spartanburg and taught physical education at Cleveland Jr. High School and Fremont Elementary School before assuming his position at Spartanburg Junior College.
In 1947, he married Betty Fair Campbell (deceased) and is survived by their two daughters, Elizabeth Fair York and Sally Anita Giles, and one grandchild, Joy Claire Holden, all of Spartanburg. Surviving friends include Ms. Ramburg and her daughter, Gerhard Faulstick and family, and Garbe Anneliese.
He was a past member of the Second Presbyterian Church, a lifelong member of the YMCA, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post # 28, the Sertoma Club, the Shrine Club, and served in the Naval Reserve for twenty-three years. His service to the community also included organizing and managing recreational programs for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the City of Spartanburg. In 2002, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame. He could often be seen refereeing high school basketball games and umpiring baseball and softball games throughout the city. He was a mentor to the many young people he coached and instructed.
Visitation was 3:00-3:45 PM Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services followed at 4:00 PM at the Chapel conducted by Pastor Stephen Burns. Burial with military honors followed at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory could be made to the James P. York Endowed Scholarship Fund, Spartanburg Methodist College, 1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301.
Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel
Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
- - - - -
Longtime SMC Coach Dead at 86
Guided baseball, basketball teams from '57-'85
By Todd Shanesy
Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
Jim York had a nickname for everybody. It was his way of making things more personal and fun.
So shortly upon hearing the sad news that the longtime Spartanburg Methodist College baseball and basketball coach had passed away Sunday at age 86, the one York called "Tater" was able to smile.
Don Tate, who played baseball for York from 1964-65, is now director of development at SMC.
"I think the nicknames came about because he felt close to the players," Tate said Tuesday. "He'd have a story about all of them. He knew a lot about the players, their parents and the family history. And I guess because he was such an open and friendly person, everybody would let him in on things, too."
James Pinkney York died in his home. He was a Spartanburg native who coached at SMC (then Spartanburg Methodist Junior College) from 1957 until his retirement in 1985. York had also been a professor and chairman of the college's Heath and Physical Education department.
"He's a legend around here," SMC baseball coach Tim Wallace said.
York was also an umpire for high school baseball and softball games, as well as a basketball referee.
Five years ago, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame.
As a coach, York was known for giving special individual attention to his players and developing meaningful relationships.
"There wasn't any scholarship money available, so he would go out into the community and raise money for players and other students who needed help," Tate said. "He would really go to bat for people he knew.
"He always had the resources because he was so well-liked. Coach York was just a tremendous individual who cared for everybody on his team. His unselfishness is what I remember most about him."
James Pinkney York, 86, died Sunday, October 28, 2007 at his home after a brief illness.
"Coach York" was a professor at Spartanburg Methodist (Junior) College where he chaired the division of Health and Physical Education, and coached basketball and baseball from 1957 until his retirement in 1984.
A native of Spartanburg, Jim was born on June 3, 1921, to the late Ida Mae (Dodd) York and Pinkney York.
He was also predeceased by his brother, Robert L. York and sister, Alice York.
In January, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the U. S. Navy and served for six years as Chief Petty Officer in Rikavik, Iceland, the Philippines and in occupied Japan.
He graduated from Spartanburg Junior College and Wofford College, and obtained a Master's in Health/Physical Education at Columbia University, New York, NY. He returned to Spartanburg and taught physical education at Cleveland Jr. High School and Fremont Elementary School before assuming his position at Spartanburg Junior College.
In 1947, he married Betty Fair Campbell (deceased) and is survived by their two daughters, Elizabeth Fair York and Sally Anita Giles, and one grandchild, Joy Claire Holden, all of Spartanburg. Surviving friends include Ms. Ramburg and her daughter, Gerhard Faulstick and family, and Garbe Anneliese.
He was a past member of the Second Presbyterian Church, a lifelong member of the YMCA, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post # 28, the Sertoma Club, the Shrine Club, and served in the Naval Reserve for twenty-three years. His service to the community also included organizing and managing recreational programs for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the City of Spartanburg. In 2002, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame. He could often be seen refereeing high school basketball games and umpiring baseball and softball games throughout the city. He was a mentor to the many young people he coached and instructed.
Visitation was 3:00-3:45 PM Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services followed at 4:00 PM at the Chapel conducted by Pastor Stephen Burns. Burial with military honors followed at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory could be made to the James P. York Endowed Scholarship Fund, Spartanburg Methodist College, 1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301.
Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel
Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
- - - - -
Longtime SMC Coach Dead at 86
Guided baseball, basketball teams from '57-'85
By Todd Shanesy
Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
Jim York had a nickname for everybody. It was his way of making things more personal and fun.
So shortly upon hearing the sad news that the longtime Spartanburg Methodist College baseball and basketball coach had passed away Sunday at age 86, the one York called "Tater" was able to smile.
Don Tate, who played baseball for York from 1964-65, is now director of development at SMC.
"I think the nicknames came about because he felt close to the players," Tate said Tuesday. "He'd have a story about all of them. He knew a lot about the players, their parents and the family history. And I guess because he was such an open and friendly person, everybody would let him in on things, too."
James Pinkney York died in his home. He was a Spartanburg native who coached at SMC (then Spartanburg Methodist Junior College) from 1957 until his retirement in 1985. York had also been a professor and chairman of the college's Heath and Physical Education department.
"He's a legend around here," SMC baseball coach Tim Wallace said.
York was also an umpire for high school baseball and softball games, as well as a basketball referee.
Five years ago, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame.
As a coach, York was known for giving special individual attention to his players and developing meaningful relationships.
"There wasn't any scholarship money available, so he would go out into the community and raise money for players and other students who needed help," Tate said. "He would really go to bat for people he knew.
"He always had the resources because he was so well-liked. Coach York was just a tremendous individual who cared for everybody on his team. His unselfishness is what I remember most about him."
"Coach York" was a professor at Spartanburg Methodist (Junior) College where he chaired the division of Health and Physical Education, and coached basketball and baseball from 1957 until his retirement in 1984.
A native of Spartanburg, Jim was born on June 3, 1921, to the late Ida Mae (Dodd) York and Pinkney York.
He was also predeceased by his brother, Robert L. York and sister, Alice York.
In January, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the U. S. Navy and served for six years as Chief Petty Officer in Rikavik, Iceland, the Philippines and in occupied Japan.
He graduated from Spartanburg Junior College and Wofford College, and obtained a Master's in Health/Physical Education at Columbia University, New York, NY. He returned to Spartanburg and taught physical education at Cleveland Jr. High School and Fremont Elementary School before assuming his position at Spartanburg Junior College.
In 1947, he married Betty Fair Campbell (deceased) and is survived by their two daughters, Elizabeth Fair York and Sally Anita Giles, and one grandchild, Joy Claire Holden, all of Spartanburg. Surviving friends include Ms. Ramburg and her daughter, Gerhard Faulstick and family, and Garbe Anneliese.
He was a past member of the Second Presbyterian Church, a lifelong member of the YMCA, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post # 28, the Sertoma Club, the Shrine Club, and served in the Naval Reserve for twenty-three years. His service to the community also included organizing and managing recreational programs for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the City of Spartanburg. In 2002, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame. He could often be seen refereeing high school basketball games and umpiring baseball and softball games throughout the city. He was a mentor to the many young people he coached and instructed.
Visitation was 3:00-3:45 PM Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services followed at 4:00 PM at the Chapel conducted by Pastor Stephen Burns. Burial with military honors followed at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory could be made to the James P. York Endowed Scholarship Fund, Spartanburg Methodist College, 1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301.
Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel
Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
- - - - -
Longtime SMC Coach Dead at 86
Guided baseball, basketball teams from '57-'85
By Todd Shanesy
Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Spartanburg Herald Journal
Jim York had a nickname for everybody. It was his way of making things more personal and fun.
So shortly upon hearing the sad news that the longtime Spartanburg Methodist College baseball and basketball coach had passed away Sunday at age 86, the one York called "Tater" was able to smile.
Don Tate, who played baseball for York from 1964-65, is now director of development at SMC.
"I think the nicknames came about because he felt close to the players," Tate said Tuesday. "He'd have a story about all of them. He knew a lot about the players, their parents and the family history. And I guess because he was such an open and friendly person, everybody would let him in on things, too."
James Pinkney York died in his home. He was a Spartanburg native who coached at SMC (then Spartanburg Methodist Junior College) from 1957 until his retirement in 1985. York had also been a professor and chairman of the college's Heath and Physical Education department.
"He's a legend around here," SMC baseball coach Tim Wallace said.
York was also an umpire for high school baseball and softball games, as well as a basketball referee.
Five years ago, he was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association Hall of Fame.
As a coach, York was known for giving special individual attention to his players and developing meaningful relationships.
"There wasn't any scholarship money available, so he would go out into the community and raise money for players and other students who needed help," Tate said. "He would really go to bat for people he knew.
"He always had the resources because he was so well-liked. Coach York was just a tremendous individual who cared for everybody on his team. His unselfishness is what I remember most about him."
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