Funeral Held for Former UCA Basketball Star
By: abc24.com
Updated: March 3, 2013
The details surrounding Jimmy McClain's death may be unclear, but one
thing is certain, the former University of Central Arkansas basketball star and Memphis high school teacher and assistant
basketball coach was very loved.
He was found murdered in his home in Cordova over a week ago. Hundreds said a final goodbye to McClain Saturday morning in Midtown Memphis.
Family and friends spoke about their favorite memories and McClain's three loves, saying his heart was with the Lord, teaching and basketball.
"Coach McClain played a big part in me and each of my teammate's lives," says Ridgeway student and basketball player Brandon Mitchell.
The coach's former basketball players say McClain's impact will last long after his death.
"He always told us don't let anyone work harder than you on and off the court," Mitchell says.
The Ridgeway high team was a small part of the hundreds who packed Memphis' Midtown Church of Christ Saturday.
McClain was a writer, preacher and former professional basketball player. Most recently he taught accounting at Ridgeway.
"It has been a really hard time for the Ridgeway family," says head coach Wesley Henning, who was friends with McClain for 20 years. "We don't know the answers why."
McClain's body was found in his Cordova home last Friday. He was last seen at a team dinner the Wednesday before that. Police are trying to determine what happened after he left.
"It is hard when you don't know, but we feel that there will be closure ultimately at some point," says McClain's brother Charlie.
"Coach McClain did nothing but great things for us," Mitchell says.
He and the rest of McClain's former team told his family they're taking the coach's death not as a loss in their lives, but a win in their hearts. "He would want it that way."
Police are asking for help catching McClain's killer. They especially want to talk with anyone who saw him between seven and nine last Wednesday night.
He was found murdered in his home in Cordova over a week ago. Hundreds said a final goodbye to McClain Saturday morning in Midtown Memphis.
Family and friends spoke about their favorite memories and McClain's three loves, saying his heart was with the Lord, teaching and basketball.
"Coach McClain played a big part in me and each of my teammate's lives," says Ridgeway student and basketball player Brandon Mitchell.
The coach's former basketball players say McClain's impact will last long after his death.
"He always told us don't let anyone work harder than you on and off the court," Mitchell says.
The Ridgeway high team was a small part of the hundreds who packed Memphis' Midtown Church of Christ Saturday.
McClain was a writer, preacher and former professional basketball player. Most recently he taught accounting at Ridgeway.
"It has been a really hard time for the Ridgeway family," says head coach Wesley Henning, who was friends with McClain for 20 years. "We don't know the answers why."
McClain's body was found in his Cordova home last Friday. He was last seen at a team dinner the Wednesday before that. Police are trying to determine what happened after he left.
"It is hard when you don't know, but we feel that there will be closure ultimately at some point," says McClain's brother Charlie.
"Coach McClain did nothing but great things for us," Mitchell says.
He and the rest of McClain's former team told his family they're taking the coach's death not as a loss in their lives, but a win in their hearts. "He would want it that way."
Police are asking for help catching McClain's killer. They especially want to talk with anyone who saw him between seven and nine last Wednesday night.
