James Heinz Obituary

Thanks, Coach, for...
* Building confidence into my life.
* Correcting me in a way that made me better rather than bitter.
* Forming a group of teenage guys into a team that was fun and successful.
* Always taking the time to talk.
* Being observant when my faith had taken a major turn and inviting me into your office to discuss life, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and faith.
* Sharing more than a message, but also your life in a manner I could understand.
* Providing a great example in your conduct, on and off the field.
* Always honoring your wife, kids, and family in the way you spoke of them.

Thank you, Jane, for...
* Participating alongside Coach in ministry to a bunch of teens, often football players and their friends.
* Opening your home when it would have been easier to shut the door.

I played on Coach Heinz first and second football and baseball teams at Colonial 1966 - 1967. Our 1967 football team was Division 1 Champions. I have joy in knowing I was a part of his first of many, many championships. In the spring he threw batting practice , without a screen. I hit a line drive straight back at him one afternoon. He crossed his arms over his heart, and turned his head. The ball struck him in the sternum right above his his x'd arms. He kidded me about all of the doctor bills I cost him and how he couldn't afford groceries because of that. I believe he never threw BP again. At least without a screen in front of him. I entered in to football coaching as a GA in college. Later as a full time assistant I recruited ECS. We would spend a lot of time talking the game whenever I would stop by. His desire to learn and get better made me work to improve my abilities throughout my career. It is hard for me to find words that adequately describe Coach as a person. There is not enough space on this computer to use every adjective there is. All I can say is that his influence had a definite, dramatic impact on me as a person and as a coach. I look forward to the day that we unite again on the Streets of Gold. Praising God together in sweet fellowship and talking a little football. Until then, I will miss him. Love you Coach!

Pat Massey

JIMMY AND I PLAYED BASEBALL ON THE SAME BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH TEAMS WHEN WE WERE ABOUT 10 TO 12 YEARS OLD. HE WAS AN ALL AROUND GOOD ATHLETE THAT I KNEW THEN WOULD SUCCEED EVEN AT OUR AGE. HE AND I WENT TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS UNTIL I ATTENDED MEMPHIS STATE. WE HAD A PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY CLASS TOGETHER AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM SINCE I MOVED TO ANOTHER CITY IN TN. I ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH JIMMY'S SUCCESS IN THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL. HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT I HAVE MET IN MY LIFE THAT WAS BORN ON THE SAME DAY, MONTH AND YEAR AS ME. PLUS, HE WAS LEFT HANDED AND I WAS RIGHT HANDED. THOSE ARE THE ONLY THINGS JIMMY AND I HAD IN COMMON. MAINLY BECAUSE, HE WAS A MUCH BETTER ATHLETE THAN I COULD EVER DREAM ABOUT. HE WAS MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN ME. HIS BROTHER CHARLES TOLD ME ABOUT HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW, EWING WRIGHT, HAVING A ROUGH TIME WITH CANCER. EWING WAS JANE'S SISTER, AND WAS ALSO A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. I'M SURE JIMMY WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ANYONE WHO KNEW HIS BROTHER OR EWING. HE WAS SOMEONE WHO WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TIME FOR ANYBODY. WE ALL HAD SOME GOOD TIMES TOGETHER AND JIMMY WAS ALWAYS THERE AND ABLE TO HELP ANYONE THAT NEEDED COMFORT OR DIRECTION. I WANTED TO SEE JANE AT THE FUNERAL HOME ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS SERVICE BUT AS MY BROTHER TOLD ME, WHILE WE WERE FINDING A PARKING PLACE, HE HAD NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE AT A VISITATION. THAT JUST SHOWED ME WHAT A LEGEND JIMMY WAS IN MEMPHIS. NOW, HE IS A LEGEND IN GOD'S KINGDOM. I NEVER GOT TO SEE JANE THAT NIGHT BUT I WANTED HER TO KNOW THAT I'M SURE SHE AND HER FAMILY WERE WORN OUT AND THAT THERE WERE MANY PRAYERS THERE TO HELP COMFORT HER. LOTS OF LOVE TO JANE AND HER WHOLE FAMILY.
CURTIS CAIN

I was saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Coach Heinz. I have a lot of good memories of him from the years in the Colonial neighborhood; growing up a few houses from them, we knew the family well; later, I owned a home on Ivy across from Mr & Mrs Heinz; our driveways across from the other. We always spoke; a wonderful man....
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

To Coach Heinz Family:

My first time I met Coach Heinz was at a scrummage practice against Braircrest at my old high school. After the practice, we were able to talk about the practice. I was so impressed by his demeanor and personality , he seemed like a great man to play for. Over the years after, I had quite a few occasions to speak with him and always walk away feeling that this man was a special type of coach and person. Unfortunately, I didn't know Coach Heinz as well as others, but I do know he influenced many individuals to be the best they could be and for the better.

I started coaching with Coach Heinz at Colonial Jr High in 1967. We worked together for seven years before he moved to Briarcrest. Our friendship never ended. What great memories I have of our friendship. ---What a pleasure to have worked and learned so much from a GREAT MAN. ----"Coach," you will truly be missed by so many. REST IN PEACE Richard Gibbons

Prayers for family and friends of Coach and asking God for His peace to know that Coach is resting with his Heavenly Father
Darell and Ann Guymon

Making christian men out of boys is what Coach Heinzs was all about. Our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time. God chose Coach Heinz for this difficult task and he pleased God in every way. Blessings to his family.

Jim and I were fiends for years played ball against each other when he was at White Station and then at Memphis State, he taught my daughter at ECS. Great guy and will be missed. Kerby Ellis

Jim and I have known each other for years going back to high school days playing ball when he was a pitcher at White Station High School. We also played ball at Memphis State. A great guy, I miss him He is in God's hand now. Kerby Ellis

So sorry to hear. Really a fine person and I am sure will be missed by all