James "Jim" Loyd Ledbetter Jr.

James "Jim" Loyd Ledbetter, Jr. passed from this earthly world on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. He is at peace now with his memories of a life well-lived. Growing up in Tennessee and Michigan, he realized even as a young boy that his love for athletics would become a governing force in his life-- from baseball, to basketball, to football, which earned him the title of All-Conference Quarterback his senior year at Pennfield High School in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force, and was stationed in France for four years. Technically, he was a mechanic, but he also played both baseball and basketball for the Air Force, representing his country with pride across Europe and, of course, getting to see the world.

Later, he earned a scholarship to Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas, where he met Mary Ellen Pettyjohn, his wife of 57 years. Her love for him was evident in her willingness to leave her beloved parents and her home town of Dickinson, Texas to follow him back to Battle Creek. There, Jim coached basketball and baseball for twelve years: garnering the respect of his teams, earning countless accolades from his peers, and orchestrating the building of a baseball stadium enjoyed by all.

The next phase of his life found him back in his home-away-from-home state of Texas, where he became head basketball coach at Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown. Jim believed that showing his players how to become good men that added to society was his true calling as a coach, so while he pushed his teams to win, it was most important to build their characters. During his time at Lee, Jim worked with many coaches, whom he considered his dear friends.

Post-retirement, Jim focused on his golf swing as a marshall at Eagle Pointe. He was fortunate to develop many rewarding friendships centered around golf and kept close ties with his coaching friends, too. He was instrumental in the behind-the-scenes work of his beloved Mary Ellen's education consultant business, handling assorted tasks from shipping books to arranging travel to keeping the house running while she traveled. Jim Ledbetter was a devoted husband, friend, and coach, and his loss is felt by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Etchelene Ledbetter, his grandparents Mose and Ula Ledbetter and Alfred and Lena Ledford, and his sisters Marilyn James and Carolyn Ledbetter. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Ledbetter, his brother-in law Norman James and wife Maria, nephews Jason and Matthew, great nephews Timothy and Nathan, as well as his special cousin Ricky Ledbetter.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baytown, Texas on June 25, 2026 at 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.