James "Jim" Albright

James Gray (Jim) Albright, 82, of North Little Rock, went to be with the Lord, July 8, 2011. Jim was born September 10, 1928 in Newport, Arkansas. He moved to Little Rock in 1935 when his father was appointed head of the Arkansas State Rangers (Police). Jim attended Little Rock public schools and graduated from Little Rock Senior High (Central High) in 1947. He received his B.S. degree in Physical Education from Arkansas Tech in 1951 and a Master’s degree in 1966 from Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) in Conway. Jim married Bettye Jo McIntyre of Fort Smith in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 29, 1950. They have two children, Deborah Rae, born in 1953 and James Jr., born in 1955. They also have four grandchildren, Justin Gray, Jordan Elizabeth Albright-King, (Jimmy’s children), Adam James Burns, Andrew Lee Burns, (Deborah’s Children) and one great granddaughter, Georgia Grace King. After graduation from college, Jim played professional baseball with the Little Rock Travelers in 1951-1952. He then served two years in the Army Signal Corp as an instructor at Camp Gordon Signal School in Augusta, Georgia and Director of Communications at “SHAPE” headquarters in Paris, France, 1954. Jim was employed by the North Little Rock School District as the football, basketball and track coach at Jefferson Davis Junior High School from August 1954 to February 1957 and then promoted to be the head football coach of North Little Rock Senior High School until 1962. From 1963 to 1966 he became the first Supervisor of Health, Physical Education and Safety for the North Little Rock School District. During this time, he organized and directed the Lakewood Summer Recreation Program from 1954 to1960. He was appointed Education Administrative Supervisor and Specialist in Physical Education and Health for the Arkansas Department of Education in 1966. In 1980, he became the Coordinator of School Plant Services with the Department of Education until he retired in 1987. Most recently, Jim enjoyed working part time at the Burns Park Golf Course in North Little Rock. Jim became a Christian in November 1948. He and his wife have been members of Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock for over 50 years. At Central Baptist, Jim served the Lord as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to everyone at Baptist Hospice, especially Tori and Kayla. Also, many thanks and love to a special friend, Bobby Lively and to an exceptional granddaughter, Jordan Albright-King. Jim’s funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday in the North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to service time Tuesday at the funeral home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

James "Jim" Albright

September 10, 1928 - July 8, 2011