Former Franklin coach Jim McCullough dies

James Leonard McCullough, 75, of Birmingham, Ala., formerly of Franklin, died Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Birmingham.

Born Jan. 20, 1932, in Franklin, he was the

son of Dollie Margaret Blauser McCullough and Presley Leonard McCullough and was the oldest of three brothers.

He was a graduate of Clarion State Teachers College and earned a master's degree in education from Westminster College, New Wilmington. During his college career, he lettered a record 12 times in football, basketball and baseball.

Mr. McCullough was a high school coach and teacher in Franklin before serving a 17-month Army tour of duty in Korea. He returned to Franklin and was named head football and head basketball coach at Franklin High School where he led his team to five division titles.

In 1996, he became head football coach and golf coach at Thiel College, Greenville. His 1967 and 1972 football teams won the Presidents Athletic Conference title and his golf teams won five PAC crowns.

He was twice named Tri-State Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the Clarion University and Thiel College Halls of Fame.

Mr. McCullough moved to Birmingham in 1979 to serve as commissioner of the Gulf South Conference.

In 1982, he was named associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference. He spent 21 years with the SEC, interpreting NCAA rules and regulations and player eligibility, and was chairman at the football coaches' annual meeting.

He was a member of the Chace Lake Country Club for 28 years and was an avid golfer with six holes-in-one to his credit.

Mr. McCullough was a member of the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills, Ala.

He was married June 11, 1955, to the former Barbara Ann Gealy of Franklin and she survives. They were married for 51 years.

Also surviving are a brother, Danny Robert McCullough of Espyville; three sons, Tab E. McCullough and wife, Terry, of Lexington, S.C.; Theodore James McCullough and wife, Anne, of Athens, Ga.; and Jody Lee McCullough and wife, Bridget, of Madison, Wis.; and five grandchildren, Megan, Katie, Mary Kathryn, Griffin and Kelly, with a sixth granddaughter due in July.

Mr. McCullough was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William Lee McCullough.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March, 22 in the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, and Saturday, March 24, in the First United Methodist Church, Franklin, with the Rev. Richard K. Harry, pastor, officiating.

Interment was in the Franklin Cemetery.