Jack Edward Chatham

Jack Edward Chatham, 97, born August 4, 1928, in High Point, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Well Spring Retirement Community in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jack was the son of Eddie and Lillian Chatham and the brother of Bettie Ann Chatham, all of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betsy Ring Chatham, with whom he shared a devoted marriage from August 1956 until her passing in 2023.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Jack enlisted in 1950 and served honorably for four years. During his service, he played baseball, a passion that continued as he went on to play semi-professionally with the St. Louis Browns organization.

Jack’s love of athletics and education shaped his life’s work. He attended Guilford College on an athletic scholarship in 1949 and later earned his master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He dedicated his career to teaching and coaching at Jackson Junior High School, Smith High School, and Dudley High School. Known simply and affectionately as “Coach” by generations of students, Jack made a lasting impact both on and off the field. He coached basketball, baseball, track, and tennis, inspiring countless young people with his leadership, discipline, and care.

Beyond his professional life, Jack had a wide range of interests. He loved golf, traveling, and was actively involved in acting, appearing in theater, television, and film, as well as doing modeling work. Alongside his wife, he was a longtime member of Pleasant Garden Methodist Church, where they faithfully served in the food pantry and supported their community.

Above all, Jack cherished his family and his students, many of whom remained close to him throughout his life. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched as a teacher, coach, mentor, and friend.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and a wide extended family of former students who continued to call him “Coach” long after their school days had ended.

A Life so richly lived and generously shared will be deeply missed and remembered by all who knew him.

Funeral will be held at 2:26 pm, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel, 6000 West Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27407. Visitation will be from 12:26 pm-2:26 pm prior to the service.

The Family would like to thank the staff at Well-Spring, AuthoraCare Collective of Greensboro and his Caregivers Tawana Harley,Valerie Moon and Denise Crawford for their support in caring for Jack.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: Pleasant Garden Methodist Church Food Pantry, 4834 Pleasant Garden Rd., Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 or AuthoraCare Collective of Greensboro, 2504 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.

Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is honored to serve the Chatham family.