This is a very delayed condolence, but I will always remember Coach McGhee and his catch phrase… don’t kid yourself! He really made learning fun, with his quick sense of humor and approachable demeanor. This was one of many special educators who shaped my outlook on  life. What a loss- gone too soon.

This one hit hard today as it popped up in my memories. We all miss him dearly, but always carry him around with us in our hearts. I'll never forget the ideals and work ethic he helped instill in me and many of those around me.  Thoughts and prayers as always to the family, today is a most somber day, but remembering all of the stories he used to tell shines a light of hope and positivity through it all. We love and miss you coach.

I often think of Jim. The good times we had together and the important role that he played in our lives. This week we moved to a new home and while unpacking I found several special reminders of how much time we spent together and how special that time was. We never had an argument or a cross word, although we had some lively debates ,and he only shared positive feelings towards his family. We are both somewhat impulsive and in my life he was always impulsive in a good way. He  will always be a part of my life.  Much love to Brenda and family.

There was never any doubt about Jim's adoration for his precious and devoted wife, children and students.  I never saw Jim without a smile on his face.  May God's presence bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead.

Coach McGhee meant a lot to me, and he was one of the most influential people in shaping the type of person I am today. He taught me that hard work and discipline can carry us further in life than we might imagine. It is unlikely that I would have joined the military or chosen to pursue my Ph.D. without the time that he invested in me as a young man. He was one of my greatest role models, and I own him more than I can put into words. Love ya, coach! You are missed. 

Coach McGee was the heart of the Service High team I was lucky to be a member of. He wiped me up and down the mat. Thankfully he didn’t let me win…I had to earn every takedown, every reversal. He was a relentless adversary on the mat. Smart. Fast. “Old man” strength. To earn a point on the coach was a badge of honor. 

Beyond his knowledge of wrestling, he knew how to lead. He supported you in a way that gave you confidence. He knew how to cut through doubt a person might have, reminding them where their strengths were, the effort they had put in. All he had taught them. He always had the right advice to give and to have him in your corner was more than a comfort, it was an advantage.

He was a guide over rough waters. I echo the comments of others here about his selfless devotion to all he encountered, supporting and nurturing us as boys, young men, then later as adults. We didn’t talk often over the years after high-school, but he always seemed to connect with me when I needed his sage advice the most. 

My deepest condolences to his family and all those who will miss him like me. Love you coach!

Chris Curgus Kaplan 

"Jim" or "Mr. McGhee" was my teacher in 8th grade. It had been quite some time since I spoke to him. I happen to touch base with him on Facebook the last year. I saw he was in a Facebook conversation. I took the moment to thank him for the work he did transforming our minds from children to adults. I let him know that I appreciated him as a teacher.  It came as a shock to find out of his untimely passing. Jim will be missed. A true leader of people and a humble servant. Godspeed Mr. McGhee.

Brenda, 

Praying for you and your family with Jim's passing.  May God bring you and your family comfort and a peace that surpasses all understanding -- God is our refuge and strength a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).  I am thankful for the influence that Coach McGee had on Josh's life the year that an underweight, one season wrestler gave it a shot.  

Scott & Cheryl Schulik
your Marigold Ln neighbors

I attended East Anchorage High School with Jim over 50 years ago (and I think junior high, also).  He was a great guy and I send his family my heartfelt condolences on such a significant loss.  May God wrap his comforting arms around you real tight!

I first met Jim McGhee in 1997, on my first day of 7th grade, in Texas History. I can’t say that I remember everything he said that day, but I certainly remember how I felt – somewhat shaken, but excited.  As anyone who knows Jim will tell you, he was never afraid to speak his mind.  Thinking back on it, that may have been one of the first times a teacher treated me as an active participant in my learning. Jim didn’t just teach history, he challenged us to think critically, to grow as people. He taught us to respect ourselves and each other. If I had never seen him again after that last day of class, I would still remember him as one of the most impactful teachers I ever had. That was not the last I saw of him, though. 

About two and a half years later, I was nearing the end of my youth wrestling career. Unable to continue competing on a youth team, my father and I began the process of starting a wrestling team at my high school.  As the majority of people in Longview, Texas thought I was in the WWF when I mentioned wrestling, one of the most important aspects of this process was finding a coach for the team who knew his head from a hole in the ground. Somehow, we ended up speaking to Jim about this possibility.  

Once again, Jim took an important place in my life. I was never what you would call a “natural” athlete.  I was also incredibly, sometimes painfully, shy, and not exactly brimming with confidence.  From almost the first day of practice with Jim, he believed in me in a way I didn’t know was possible for a person outside of my family. Not only did he find my strengths and help me to grow as a wrestler, but he also helped me build confidence in myself. He taught me how to be a leader. 


Where do I begin. I met coach my sophomore year in HS, and he was a larger than life figure that everyone was drawn to. His intelligence made you aspire to learn and stay mentally sharp, his compassion made you want to care more about yourself and those around you, his tough nature in practices made us all stronger and tougher/ready for a match,  but above all I remember his words of wisdom and guidance. He knew exactly the things to say that would help guide me down the right path to become a better man and a better person. I think about his teachings all the time and how good he was to everyone he met.I am constantly reminded of all the memories we’ve had through the years, and only hope that I can live up to his expectations, because we all know you can never let coach down. Coach, speaking for myself and all of your students, athletes, friends and family: we love you and you will be missed. This isn’t goodbye, it’s “see you later”. You owe me one hell of a match in heaven one day. Until we meet again. 

Coach McGhee, 

I write to you with great sorrow and great happiness.  I am sorrowful because your time on this earth blessing those around you with your presence has come to an end, but I am immensely happy because I know you are at peace with Our Father in Heaven.  While great men, such as yourself, cannot live forever, your warrior spirit and values live on in the hearts and minds of those you impacted each and everyday.  From US History/Literature in 8th Grade to Euro History senior year, I didn’t deserve the time I got to spend learning from you, but I am forever grateful for it.  Great teachers provide knowledge; legendary teachers provide an eagerness and hunger to seek knowledge.  In this regard, you were truly legendary.

With a Sorrowful but Happy Heart,
Brandon Kimble
PTHS - Class of ‘08

Deeply saddened to hear this.  I was among the first wrestling team Jim coached at Service High back in the late 70's.  I lost touch after leaving AK until the past few years where we connected on social media.  Jim began following my son Colby Covington and told me he was going to come to one of his big UFC fights, which he did just last year.  Covid prevented fans from attending this event.   Therefore, a small group of friends including Coach McGhee watched the event live from my Vegas hotel room. I know he was not a fan of Vegas but he told me he was going to come to one of our events which he did even though we couldn't watch live in the arena.  It was great to spend time with him and other Service High alum for this event.  He will certainly be missed for our next title fight in November but I know he'll still be rooting us on.  
My deepest condolences go out to Brenda and family.    

JIMMINY CHRISTMAS! The world has lost a great man.  I got to know and love him thru teenage years as my coach and my best friend's dad.  I wish I had that one great story, but he was always just there and just "Coach".  Thinking of him brings a smile. His impact and influence is immeasurable and he will be missed.  Heaven now has a Coach of it's own. 

Rest in Peace and Godspeed, Coach

I had his 7th-grade history class the morning of 9/11. I'll always remember how he scrapped his lesson plan and instead gave us an in-depth lesson about the history of Afghanistan and the Middle East conflict. It made me feel better to understand what was happening and has stuck with me as an example of the power a teacher can have. 

Coach McGhee was one of those teachers you never forget. He was one of my absolute favorite teachers and made my junior high years actually bearable and very memorable. He had such a special way of connecting with his students. He wasn't just a teacher, but a friend and mentor as well. The world could definitely use more educators like him. He will truly be missed. 

I love you Jim. The hundreds of hours that we spent together in the wrestling room, on long road trips, in restaurants, and at your home are some of the best hours  in my memory. The phone calls that we shared  during the last 10 years are moments that I will cherish. We were on the same wave length and every time that I had been thinking about you you would call and vice versa. We laughed together until we cried at times. You have been a best friend to me, and mentor and coach to my son. You have enriched the lives of hundreds of people.  I trusted you implicitly, appreciated our similarities and minimized our differences and you did the same and I am forever grateful for that. Your love and dedication to family is something to be emulated by all.  You were blessed to have Brenda as your wife and you provided a beautiful balance for each other. You have worked hard to have the earned right to be called a lucky man because of what you have contributed to your family and to total strangers/students/athletes(and pets). You will forever be a part of my inner family.

Brenda you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Brenda and family,

The Porter Family are so sad to hear of the passing of Coach McGhee .  He will be missed by the boys , now men, that he coached at Pine Tree High School  so many years ago.  He trained them, disciplined them, talked and encouraged them. He won matches with them and rejoiced in turn. For the matches they didn't win, he was always there to provide encouragement and support; I know that many of his students embody his never give up attitude to this day.  In and out of the classroom he helped  shape them to be the men they are today. I know Jeff and I saw his commitment to them and in turn their commitment to him. I know Coach has been a name in our home for many years since the boys graduation. His laughter, wisdom, compassion and desire to be a friend to our boys will always be remembered. 

Brenda, May the Lord comfort you with peace and wonderful memories.. We pray for you and your family during this difficult time.   

With Deepest Sympathy,

The Porter Family 
Jeff, Cindie, Matt and Kyle

Our sincere sympathy from a friend. Prayers for the family. So sorry to hear this. Coach Lynn Graves- Carthage

As a “Mat Maid” in high school at Service High, I helped run the wrestling meets.  Coach McGhee always made me and everyone else smile with his positive “can do” attitude or laugh with his goofy sense of humor.   What some may say he lacked in height (I am  not knocking him... I share in his being vertically challenged) he MORE than made up for in HEART!  Heaven has gained a beautiful soul!!!

Jim was a good friend to many. I was fortunate to have been one of those.  He and I were baseball teammates at Panola Junior College, and he played against Panola the next year, when he led his SFA team to victories over the Ponies in a doubleheader on his way to becoming the Lumberjacks’ MVP.  More importantly, he was an MVP in life. He positively influenced so many during his life - not only family members but also friends, colleagues, students, players. He will be greatly missed by many.
May Brenda and her entire family feel God’s presence during this difficult time of mourning.

Coach McGhee was my wrestling coach at Pine Tree High School. It was an honor to have this man as a mentor, teacher and a coach! 
As a freshman I still had some baby fat going into high school and it made me a little heavier lol! He placed me in the 160lb weight class which was probably the most competitive. 
I remember my first wrestling meet and the very first person I wrestled from Wiley high school. He was a junior and he was what we called “Jacked”! To say that I was  intimidated is an understatement! The rest of the team laughed as they saw who I was going to Wrestle! Coach pulled me aside and said something along the lines of “I know you are going to get in there and give it everything you got. Don’t listen to these guys, it’s easy to laugh when it’s not your problem. You got this!”

I went in there encouraged and feeling like David facing Goliath and didn’t back down. He ended up turning me inside out though! Lol! I came back feeling disappointed that I had let coach down, but he picked me right back up and said it only goes up from here! 
 It wasn’t until the next year that we found out he had been disqualified from his senior year wrestling because he tested positive for steroid use. I will never forget that and I will never forget Coach McGhee! 

You a dearly missed! 

Had Coach McGee for History! He was so sweet and funny! I so enjoyed his class and hearing him talk about his dog! He will be missed! 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James Edward McGhee

15 avril 1953 – 19 août 2021

Ted Dickey West Funeral Home

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