James D. Ashmore

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his sons, David and his wife Stephanie, Scott, and Douglas and his wife Amy, his grandchildren, Ashleigh Ashmore Vaughan and her husband Aaron, Bailey, Mason, Madison, Morgan and Alexander, his sister, Laurie Rickaway and her husband Darryl, his brother Jack T. Clark and his wife Michelle, his nephew James Rickaway and his wife Natalie and their daughter Ruthie, his niece Laura Rickaway, aunts, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack Clark Sr, Mary Kay Ashmore Clark, and adopted father Lee Roy Ashmore (it’s complicated) and his precious granddaughter Leah Ashmore.

Jim was born on the 10th of November 1936, in Houston, TX. He was particularly close to his Gramps, which was his mother’s father. Gramps instilled in him the love of God, a tremendous work ethic and a fascination of sports and ballgames. He attended Jackson Junior High and Reagan High School, where he excelled in baseball, playing for his father Coach Lee Roy “Duck” Ashmore, football, and academics. He was a gifted singer and performed in many high school musicals and sang in church. Upon graduation, he attended Rice University and played baseball. Jim was part of the 1955 American Baseball Congress National Championship team. Ultimately, he graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Prior to suffering an elbow injury, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, which coincidentally was where his childhood idol, Stan Musial, was a Hall of Fame player. He graduated with a Master in Education from University of Houston in 1965.

Jim began his career coaching in 1959 at San Jacinto Junior High School in Pasadena, TX and then moved to the Houston Independent School District (HISD). With HISD, he coached at Johnston Junior High, Madison High School, and Marshall Junior High School, before stepping into an Assistant Principal role at Furr High School from 1973 to 1978. His heart never strayed from athletics, and he went to the HISD Athletic Department in 1978 as the Assistant Athletic Director. He then served as the Director of Athletic Business and Boy’s Activities from 1982 until his promotion to HISD Athletic Director in 1989. He held the Athletic Director role until his retirement in 1996. He is recognized in Reagan High School’s Hall of honor, elected to the Houston Coaches Association (HCA) Hall of Honor in 1996 and the Texas Athletic Directors’ Hall of Honor in 1999.

Jim’s passion was coaching and mentoring student athletes. His family continuously meets adults in the Houston area that say a kind word about Coach Ashmore and how much he meant to them in their youth and beyond. Moving into the Athletic office, Jim felt that he could have a greater impact across all schools and programs, which is considerable given that HISD, at the time, was the fifth largest school district in the United States. His summers and evenings were often spent managing local swimming pools and refereeing high school and collegiate basketball games in the Southwest Conference, American Coast Conference (ACC), Big 8 and the Gulf Coast conferences. He was also beloved by his HISD Athletics staff and the coaches that worked with him.

Jim and Margaret Coward married in 1986, after meeting in the HISD Administration building, where they realized that both coincidentally shared the November 10th birthday. They enjoyed traveling, golfing, singing in the choir, routine outings with their friends, and spending time with their family. Jim and Margaret celebrated life and each other’s accomplishments and represented a good example for us all.

Jim loved his grandchildren and spent many afternoons giving golf rides, attending events, playing games, or filling in for some much-needed babysitting. There was seldom a time that he didn’t show up with a pack of Rolos or a Ring Pop. He was, and still is, a special person in their lives. Jim cherished being involved and leading organizations. He was part of the Pecan Grove Property Owners’ Association from 2001 to 2019, and President for 18 years. He was a member of the Pecan Grove Men’s Golf Association (MGA) serving as President 1999 to 2000, until he “graduated” to the Senior MGA group, where he again served his term as President. Jim was a Deacon at Willow Meadows Baptist Church, Westbury Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Richmond. He was in the choir and on the Personnel Committee for several years. He took special joy acting as one of the “Wise Men” in the church’s Experiencing Christmas programs. He was always available and worked for the betterment of those around him.

Jim enjoyed many things, including golf, laughter, singing solos in church, teaching Sunday school, helping coach kid’s teams, all Houston professional teams and attending Astros, Rockets and Houston Oilers football games, Bluebell ice cream, his dogs, and hugs. Throughout the years, he was happy to share his satsumas (oranges) with the golfers as they passed by their house on Pecan Grove’s golf course. You were sure that Jim liked you if he poked fun at you. His smile was contagious, and he led a faith-based life and was quick to remind you that the Lord had a plan for you and that Christ was the way to heaven, which is exactly where he is today.

He was a good man and a good Dad. Not perfect, but he tried his hardest and was loved deeply.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Eden’s Reflection Private Care Home for their care, love, and compassion at the end of Jim’s earthly journey. Thank you.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 3rd of February, at First Baptist Church of Richmond, 502 S 5th Street in Richmond, Texas.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 4th of February, also at First Baptist Church of Richmond, where the Sr. Pastor, Rev. Ryan Chandler and Pastor Emeritus, Rev. John Lockhart are to officiate.

The interment service will follow later that afternoon at one o’clock, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Jim’s honor be directed to First Baptist Church of Richmond, 502 S 5th Street, Richmond, TX 77469 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 S Loop E, Houston, TX 77087.