Bio

James Ray Smith

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (1966-1967) / Football

James Ray Smith was a member of the 1966 and 1967 football teams, which produced back-to-back state championships. The 1966 team defeated Pearl River (33-0) for the first time in 18 years. During the 1967 season, he played on both sides of the ball as offensive and defensive tackle. At the close of the 1967 season, Smith was selected Mississippi Association of Junior Colleges All-State Honorable Mention and played in the MAJC All-Star game as an offensive tackle. In 1973, he was named to Coach George Sekul's Offensive Team of the Decade.

After leaving Gulf Coast, Smith attended Southeastern Louisiana College and Mississippi College, where he continued playing football. After graduating from college, he coached football at a high school in Learned, Mississippi. Upon receiving his master's degree in 1974, he returned to the Perkinston Campus as the dean of men. He worked as a career/technical counselor, assisted the intramural sports and football team, and served as interim director of career/technical education at the Perkinston Campus. He retired after 32 years of service to the college.

''I have many fond memories of the college as both a student and employee,” Smith said. 'After I finished college, I knew 1 wanted to be a part of the incredible changes that were happening at Gulf Coast. Our sports teams — baseball, football and basketball — were making outstanding strides, and the multiple campuses had just been established. I knew big things were on the way for the college, and I wanted to be a part of it."

Smith, a grandfather of four, lived in Perkinston in 2010 with his wife, Sarah, who graduated from Gulf Coast and taught at West Wortham Middle School in Saucier.