Jimmy Coach Littleton

After spending 23 years as a basketball coach, Jimmy retired after serving 14 years as the Athletic Director for North East Independent School District in San Antonio. He served a total of 43 years in the athletic and education field.

A graduate of South San Antonio High School, he served in the Pacific in World War II following General MacArthur before continuing his education. He received B.S. and M.A. degrees from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, where he also received an administrative certificate. While attending Southwest Texas, he led the Lone Star Conference in scoring in basketball for three years and was voted All-Conference for three years. He lettered four years in basketball and track, and for three years was first place in the high jump at the conference meet.

Jimmy coached at Leverett's Chapel, Alice, Galena Park, South San Antonio, and Lee High Schools before going to Trinity University in San Antonio. While at Galena Park, his team reached the State Finals and while at South San Antonio, his team reached the State Tournament for seven consecutive years and won the State Championship in 1961.

In 1966, he went to Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio, where he coached the basketball team to a 30-1 season and the State Championship in 1967. In 1969, he accepted the position of Head Basketball Coach at Trinity University, San Antonio, where he remained until he retired from coaching. His record was 459-151.

From 1972 to 1975 he served as Assistant Principal at Nimitz and Garner Middle Schools and in 1975 accepted the position of Athletic Director for the North East Independent School District.

Jimmy was on the Editorial Committee for the NCAA Basketball Association and served on the Selection Committee for the All-Star basketball team four times. He served on the Board of Directors of the Texas High School Coaching Association and coached the All-Star Basketball Team in 1963.

He lectured at the Texas High School Coaching Association, North Texas State University, Oklahoma and the Texas All-Star Game; also at the Coach of the Year Clinic in San Francisco and NCAA Clinic on the high school level. Jimmy shared the Coach of the Year Clinic with Hank Iba, Guy Lewis, Pat Foster, and Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz and Jerry Tarkinian of the University of Las Vegas.

In 1977 he was chosen on the first group for the Hall of Honor at Southwest Texas and in 1980, was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award at Southwest Texas. In 1987, he was elected into the Hall of Honor of the Texas High School Coaches' Association of the State of Texas. Other honors include the Texas High School Athletic Directors Hall of Honor and the San Antonio Sports Foundation Hall of Honor.

Jimmy also served on the Board of Directors of the Quarterback Club of San Antonio, and the San Antonio Spurs Tip-Off Club. He was a member of the Texas High School Coaches' Association, the National Health and P.E. Association, and the Texas Association of Health, P.E. and Recreation.

Jimmy was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where he served as an usher. He was a former member of Rotary, was an Ambassador for Hemisfair, and was also a member of three dance clubs. A member of the Petroleum Club, he was also a charter member of Sonterra Country Club and served on their board. He was also one of the first honey doers for the San Antonio Assistance League.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Margaret Maxine; and granddaughter Allison Littleton. Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Helene S. Littleton; 2 children, Pam Esquivel and husband Mike, and Jimmy Fred Littleton and wife Karey; 5 stepchildren, Mark Hoefs, Graham Hoefs and wife Michelle, Kathleen Armstrong and husband Andrew, Ferd Hoefs and wife Cindy, and Julianne Martin and husband Bill; 12 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the San Antonio Sports Foundation, Odyssey Hospice, or St. Luke's Episcopal Church.