Richard Allstot "Dick" James, 79, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at his home. He was born March 5, 1934, in Brookings to Max and Bernice, and later moved to Omaha and then Custer, SD, where he graduated high school. He earned his undergraduate degree from South Dakota State College in 1959, followed by a master's degree. He held the distinction of coaching South Dakota high school athletics in five different decades. He began his coaching career in Custer in 1956. before serving a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. Upon returning stateside, he spent nine years in Clear Lake, where he served as head football coach for eight seasons and also started the wrestling program. He turned around a Clear Lake football program that was win-less the year before he arrived, to one that posted five consecutive winning seasons. His wrestling squad also claimed a Northeast Conference championship. In 1968, he moved on to Clark, where he was head coach for both the football and wrestling teams. Clark claimed back-to-back Northeast Conference championships in 1971 and 1972, with only one loss between the two seasons. James spent the 1973-74 school year at Andes Central High School, where he was head wrestling coach and assistant coach for an undefeated football team that gave up points in only one game. He returned to the Black Hills in 1974, beginning a 25-year career at Rapid City Stevens High School, where he also taught government and American history. He served as defensive coordinator on a Stevens team that ended the 1974 season ranked No. 1 and later served as head coach for seven seasons in addition to coaching track. Following his Stevens coaching career, he held the position of Rapid City Junior High Athletics Director. He also coached six football seasons at the collegiate level at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, including serving the 2000 and 2001 seasons as associate head coach. In 2007, he received the Rapid City Officials Club Sports Hall of Fame Contributor Award and in 2009 was awarded the Ralph Ginn Award, which is given annually to an SDSU alumnus who has distinguished themselves in coaching and education. In recent years, he has served on the selection committee for the South Dakota Sports Hall of fame. Dick touched many lives as a public educator and coach across the state of South Dakota. He was a passionate and loyal Jackrabbit supporter, and brought that same loyalty and passion to his church, career, and family. Survivors include his wife, Donna James, Rapid City; a son, Dr. Matthew R. James, Brookings; a sister, Maxine Peterson, Sioux Falls; a brother, Robert James, Rapid City; stepsons Rande and Rodney of Rapid City and Roger Robinson, San Luis Obispo, CA; stepdaughters, Candyce Havenstrite, Murfreesboro, TN, and Vicki McLain, Rapid City; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved dog, Taffi. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at First Congregational Church, with Dr. Ted Huffman and the Rev. Susan Huffman officiating. Burial will be Tuesday, at 10 a.m Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors rendered by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota National Guard. In lieu a flowers, memorial funding will be made to the South Dakota State University Foundation and First Congregational Church of Rapid City.