James Counce Jr.

Coach James M. Counce Jr., 68, of Dyersburg, formerly of Paris, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Tennova Healthcare Dyersburg Regional.
He was born on July 6, 1949, in South Fulton to the late James M. Counce Sr. and the late Ada Belle Roach Counce. He was a long-time football coach in West Tennessee, with his longest stints at Dyersburg and Henry County high schools. His overall coaching record was 235-95; the winningest football coach in the history of two programs (Dyersburg and Henry County), and assistant coach at MBA in 2007 when it won the Division II State Championship. He had two perfect seasons and two 5A State Championships as head coach of Henry County (2011, 2013) and retired after the 2014 season. Coach took immense pride in the life accomplishments of his players. In 2017, Coach was elected to the TSSAA Hall of Fame. He was a member of West Dyersburg Church of Christ and was also a graduate of Murray State University. He loved his time on the rear deck of his house with a cup of coffee and enjoyed calm times with his family on the beach. Coach was an avid waterfowl hunter and fisherman.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at West Dyersburg Church of Christ, with the Rev. Jim Chamblee officiating. Burial will be in Obion County Memorial Gardens in Union City. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will receive visitors starting at 4 p.m. Monday at West Dyersburg Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Kristy Counce of Dyersburg; a son, James M. Counce III and wife, Kim, of Paris; three grandchildren, Caleb Counce, Matthew Counce and Rylee Marie Counce; a step-daughter, Kari Clark and husband, Matt, of Chattanooga; a sister, Peggy Nace and husband, Larry, of Jackson; his uncle, Elmer Ray Counce; a cousin, Charles Mark Allen; two nieces, Debra Greer and husband, Jimmy, and Kem Carr and husband, Tom; and three nephews, Jim Covington, Neal Covington and Jamie Nace.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife in 2007, Donna Counce; a sister, Thelma Covington; and a nephew, Lance Nace.
The family requests memorials be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Published 10.30.17