James Michael Alford, 68, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away on March 4, 2023. Known to all as Mike or Coach Mike, he was born August 6, 1954 in Houston, Texas to parents, Ronald K. and Mary Frances Alford. He grew up in Texas and also spent much of his youth on a Cherokee reservation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and was very proud of his Native American heritage.
Mike was a very well-rounded individual. He, along with wife, Laura, was an avid reader. They loved reading thrillers, mysteries, westerns, and biographies (to name a few). He grew up playing Texas high school football and enjoyed watching college and professional games as well. However when the family moved to Tennessee, his sons started playing baseball & soccer. The Alfords agreed to the boys playing this game called soccer for one season, not realizing they would fall in love with the sport and continue for many years. Endeavoring to be involved in their lives, Mike learned everything he could about the sport of soccer in such a way he would then be able to be their coach. He learned the game well and eventually worked as a referee. With the boys playing on different traveling soccer teams, most weekends out of the months would be spent in hotels on out-of-town games. It was like being on family vacation every month.
As a father, Mike was loving, bright and tough – but fair. He was as supportive in every way to ensure the kids were on the right path to pursuing their dreams. He was athletic and strong – a trait he passed on to his sons. Following his retirement as a machinist, he helped run the sports department at the Hermitage/Donelson YMCA where he also took on the task of mowing the grassy fields surrounding the Y. While mowing, he enjoyed the heat and the “quiet” of being alone with his thoughts. After leaving the Y, he moved into sales, moving everything from Top Soil to appliances. Then, at the end of each day, he would return home to his favorite recliner, glass of sweet tea, and get lost in another book. Even though it has been a while since his health would allow, Mike was quite comfortable with the charcoal grill. A favorite memory is the smell of his grilled barbequed chicken during the summer months. Just the mention of it brings the memories and aromas to the minds of his family. In the twilight of his life, he boasted of a new found sense of energy and rejuvenation when his grandson, Porter Chase, aptly nicknamed “Chooch”, stomped the halls of the same house in which he raised his sons and loved his wife. He loved well . . . was well-loved . . . and will be fiercely missed.
Mike is predeceased by maternal grandmother, Dolly Terrapin Waterfallen; maternal grandfather, Eli Waterfallen, Sr.; paternal grandmother, Agnes Moore Alford; paternal grandfather, James Edward Alford; his father, Ronald K. Alford; by his mother, Mary Frances Waterfallen Alford; and nephew, Chase Westmoreland. Mike is survived by Laura “Sunshine” R. Alford, his loving wife of 41 years; son, Jacob N. Alford; son, Jamison D. Alford; daughter, Allison Boland (Chris); daughter, Courtney Guion; grandchildren Porter Chase Alford (aka “Chooch”), Carter Stroud, Lilah Boland, Ethan Boland, Emma Boland, Owen Boland, Alexis Guion, Katelynn Guion; and sister, Michele Overstreet. He is also survived by many extended family members.
There will be a time of visitation at Hermitage Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 from 4pm – 8pm. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Alford family at HermitageFH.com.
