GAINESVILLE – Retired high school football coach James Curtis Lofton died January 1, 2015, at age 85, as a result of congestive heart failure.
Called “Coach” by his wife Ruby Jean, five sons, 24 grandchildren, and many friends, Lofton had an exceptional coaching career that encompassed nearly 50 years, with 255 wins as a head football coach at the high school level.
In 2010, Lofton summarized the lessons of his coaching at eight schools in two states, during which he specialized in turning losing football teams into championship ones, in a privately published book titled “So You Think You Want To Coach.” (More info at www.coachlofton.com.)
Following three years as a United States Army paratrooper in the late 1940s, Lofton entered Auburn University on a football scholarship, where he roomed and played alongside Vince Dooley, who went on to a storied career as head football coach at the University of Georgia. In a forward to “So You Think You Want to Coach”, Dooley wrote: “I know of no one better qualified to write this sound game plan for a coaching career than my long time good friend and former college team and roommate, Coach Jim Lofton”.
Lofton was married to Ruby Jean for 62 years. Their five sons – Jim, Bill, Dick, Bob and John – all played on Lofton’s football teams, including one state championship team.
Lofton began his career as the assistant football coach at North Fulton High School in Atlanta in 1954. He went on to be head football coach – with additional duties in some locations as athletic director, headmaster, and/or coach of basketball, track and wrestling – at these seven schools: Dykes High School in Atlanta, Jefferson High School, Lee Academy in Alabama, Springwood Academy in Alabama, East Hall High School and North Hall High School in Gainesville, and the Greater Atlanta Christian School in Atlanta.
A service to celebrate the life of “Coach” was held Sunday January 4, at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville,
Memorial contributions may be made to Eagle Ranch, a residential program to help youths (www.eagleranch.org).
Those wishing to leave online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.