Storm Center Column: Delta C-7 school district gives James his just due

DEERING — Memories were shared and tears were shed on Saturday afternoon as the Delta C-7 school district honored Douglas James.

Delta C-7 officially named the school’s gymnasium after James, who poured his blood, sweat and tears of his own into the place for decades.

The court now features James’ signature.

Douglas James listens to a speech during a gymnasium dedication on his behalf dated Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Deering. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“I only had one losing season,” said James, beaming with pride while speaking during the dedication. “I had some very good ball players, and never once did anyone quit on me.”

The afternoon was filled with tributes, a pick-up basketball game featuring alumni and people signing a guestbook in the lobby.

When James began to speak, he could only get out a few words before he began crying — that showed everyone how much the moment meant to him.

Here's a staff photo of Douglas James while he was an instructor for the Delta C-7 school district. (Photo of a photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

James was born in Pemiscot County in 1942, the youngest of three children born to the late A.T. James and Mary Privett James.

“Coach” attended what was then known as Deering School from first through 12th grade — playing all the sports offered and he also participated in pep club, chorus and FFA.

In the sport of basketball, James once made 100 free throws in a row as a forward/center combination under then head coach Jim Swink.

Martha Sebree spoke on behalf of her husband Bill Sebree. Martha was a Class of 1958 graduate and Bill a 1962 graduate of then Deering School. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

James then graduated from both Southern Baptist Christian College (today known as Williams Baptist) in Walnut Ridge, Ark., and Arkansas State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education.

He spent the first five years of his education career at Delta C-7 (the school had officially changed its name during the 1960s after a merger) before leaving for positions in Holland and later Greenway, Ark.

When his mother, Mary, became ill in 1978 — he returned to Delta C-7 for the next 30 years.

Nathan Ward, a graduate from the Class of 1999, shakes hands with an unidentified member of the other team after completion of an alumni basketball game dated Saturday, Sept. 30, in Deering. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

James was a “family first” man, and that showed when he came back to teach in Pemiscot County — instead of working his way up the administrative ladder as he could have in Arkansas.

During his 30 years, he was a physical education teacher at all levels, coached junior high and high school basketball, baseball, volleyball and softball.

“Coach” remained with the school district as a bus driver through 2016, and kept the scorebooks for basketball and volleyball up until two years ago.

Jaden Copley, a member of the pom squad, performs a routine during halftime of the alumni basketball game dated Saturday, Sept. 30, in Deering. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“His love and dedication to his students and players has been evident throughout his 43 years of service to the school and community,” said Saturday’s program. “There is, and will only ever be, one ‘Coach’ here.”

Dr. Kelly Wilkerson-Dullenty, president of the Delta C-7 school board and Class of 1996 graduate, presented the introduction and served as master of ceremonies.

“He taught me how to pick cotton,” Wilkerson-Dullenty said, “We were all his favorites.”

Scores of people sign a guestbook at the Douglas James Gymnasium Dedication, which took place on Saturday, Sept. 30, at Delta C-7 School in Deering. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Delta C-7 art teacher Stacy Whitfield, who spent many years as a colleague of James, said speaking before the crowd was “way out of my comfort zone.”

“Look at the crowd, Coach,” she said. “We all love you, and thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Whitfield remarked James, while driving the bus back from volleyball road trips, would never dispense coaching advice.

Class of 1983 graduate Michael Tomlinson said James helped him through his anxiety while he was a player on the team.

Martha Sebree (Class of 1958) spoke on behalf of her husband, Bill Sebree (Class of 1962).

Martha said her her husband and James shared years of memories, both in sports and farming.

“He’s been one of my best friends,” Martha Sebree said. “He will always be remembered for his strength of character.”

She also recalled a “controversial” basketball game Deering played Bragg City in the early-1960s.

A tip-in at the buzzer was allowed to stand, even though the deafening crowd drowned the horn out.

The guestbook featured entries from people as far away as Killeen, Texas, which is 668 miles away and a near 10-hour drive from Deering according to Google Maps.

Other entries were from nearby states and locations such as Elizabethtown, Ky., Savannah, Tenn., Hernando, Miss., and Murphysboro, Ill. Some signers also indicated the year they graduated from Delta C-7 or Deering.

Two alumni basketball teams squared off, scoring a combined 85 points with several banked-in 3-pointers, floor burns and high-fives shared.

The teams featured: Kyle Young, Logan Young, Wes Richardson, Jarrod Young, Skylar Young, Derrick Dye, Nathan Ward, Chris Naitch, Tim Hamilton, Vivian Vela, Danny McGee and Jaden Ward — the last scoring 11 points versus Clarkton in the district championship from the 2022-23 season.

In addition to the guestbook, there were vintage photos of James as both a player and coach and a resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives honoring him dated from May 23, 2008.

Administration from the around the area also attended the event, including current Gideon athletic director Keenan Buchanan.

Delta C-7 basketball players served as ushers. Elementary school students honored James with artwork adorning the walls. New coach Chris Dye served as one of the alumni game officials. And the poms performed a routine during halftime of the alumni game.

These days, James is a resident at Southgate Living Center in Caruthersville.

Editor’s Note: This column doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of the Delta Dunklin Democrat, Concord House Publishing or Rust Communications. The views are solely that of the author.