A larger-than-life character on and off the diamond, Sexton was a mainstay on his team, in his school, at his church and in his community.
Sexton never was rendered speechless. He always had something to say. A big barrell of a man, his strong physical presence was outmatched only by his booming voice.
Although he served on the Bulldogs' staff during three decades, Sexton was more than an assistant coach. He also was a father, a grandfather, a teacher, a mentor and a church member. More than anything else, though, he was a friend, according to those who knew him.
That explains why so many people are so upset in the wake of his death. Sexton, 57, of Barrett, passed away last Monday.
Sexton will be sorely missed. That was evident at Van High School, where blue and gold ribbons were strung all over the hallways in honor of the former teacher and coach last week.
Sexton retired from teaching in 2006, but he still was very much a part of the school. His wife, Susan Sexton, is a junior high English teacher there. His granddaughter, Emilie Sexton, is an eighth-grade student.
“This is a big loss for our community," Van High School Vice Principal Eddie Hendricks said with tears in his eyes. "He was a big part of this place, a big part of our school. He loved people and loved our school.
"You can’t replace guys like James," the Bulldogs' athletic director and assistant football coach added. "He loved these kids. He was very passionate about instilling character and discipline in our school. He will be missed in our community and school. He was a great man, a great friend and a great father.”
Sexton was born on Nov. 17, 1950, the eldest son of the late Kelly Allen and Betty Jo Sexton.
He married his beloved wife on June 27, 1970.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their three children: Gene Allen Sexton and his wife, Alisha, of Williamstown; William Edward Sexton, of Rock Hill, S.C.; and Jennifer Lynn Sexton, also of Rock Hill, S.C.
He also is survived by three granddaughters: Emilie Blaire Sexton, of Barrett; and Elizabeth Trannis and Lauren Alisha Sexton, both of Williamstown.
Other survivors include one brother — Jerry Paul Sexton and his wife, Marilyn, of Barrett — and one sister — Sheila Kay Worrell and her husband, Kyle, of Sumter, S.C. — as well as one nephew — David Allen Worrell, also of Sumter, S.C.
Sexton graduated from Van High School in 1968. He worked in the coal mines for Eastern Associated Coal for 20 years before he retired. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Concord College and his master’s degree from Salem University — both in education. He started teaching social studies at his alma mater and remained there 17 years before he retired.
Sexton coached baseball and football during his time at Van High School, but his passion was on the diamond. He began as an assistant under former Van baseball coach Steve Bradley, who now is the executive director of transportation, safe schools, athletics and Title IX for Boone County Schools.
Bradley and Sexton formally spent 11 years together coaching the Bulldogs' baseball squads, but Bradley said Sexton was around the program well before he became a paid assistant.
“I lost what I consider a great friend," Bradley said. "More than that, he was an admirable person. He enjoyed what he did, and I certainly enjoyed having him around. He was a great help to me and to the program at Van High School.
"James was a great ambassador for the game. He loved baseball more than anything. He was always involved. He would do anything that was needed to help our program. I don’t know how many times he asked me what he could do to help make the program successful.
"He did the little things that people take for granted. He did a lot of the dirty work — cooking, arranging rides and all that — plus he maintained the field very well. He didn’t mind the hours we worked. We made a pact that we would do whatever it took to win a championship there. We must have done something right.”
With Sexton on his staff, Bradley led the Bulldogs to four Class A state titles (1988, 1991, 1992 and 1993).
Current Van baseball coach Steve Price played on two of those championship teams (1991 and 1992).
Sexton had been an assistant on Price's staff since the former all-state catcher took the helm at his alma mater in 2004.
"Coach Sexton was an individual who was truly one of a kind," said Price, who led Van to the Class A state championship game last year (a 6-5 loss to Wheeling Central). "He always had a way to make things more interesting.
"He helped me get through my first couple of years of coaching baseball by handling a lot of things that I had no idea had to be done. His love for Van High School and the baseball program was unmatched. He was not only my coach and my assistant but also a true friend who I will miss in more ways than one.
"It will take more than one person to fill the void left by the loss of Coach Sexton."
Sexton also was a member of the Wharton Volunteer Fire Department and the Barrett Church of the Nazarene, where he was a Sunday School teacher.
That is how Van senior pitcher and catcher Matt Slone met him.
“I have known him for a long time," Slone said of Sexton, whose favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
"Anything you asked of him, he would do it for you. This past summer, I had to go to a tryout camp for the Atlanta Braves in Buckhannon. My mom was in St. Louis and my dad had to work that day. I was pretty hard-pressed for a ride. He overheard a conversation about me not having a ride and volunteered to take me. Him taking time out of his life to take me up there really meant a lot to me."
That was vintage Sexton, who was known as a man who would do anything for a kid.
“He would always talk to us while he was out on the field," Slone said. "Usually, I can’t really pick any voices out, but when I was pitching and I was in a bind, I would hear him over everyone else.
"To me, he wasn’t just my teacher and he wasn’t just my coach, he was one of my best friends and I’m going to miss him.”
So will Van senior second baseman Corey Castle.
“There will always be a Coach Sexton in my heart," Castle said. "This school and community has lost someone who loved being around them. I have not lost just a coach but a true friend."
Castle said the upcoming baseball season will be difficult for the Bulldogs, who plan to honor Sexton. Van will retire his No. 20 jersey at its home opener March 18 against Independence.
"He loved this game, and he loved teaching the game he knew to younger athletes throughout the community," Castle said of Sexton, who was a gravel-voiced and strong-willed man but could become a soft-spoken and mild-mannered soul when necessary. "When someone needed something, not just on the diamond, but anything at all, you knew who to go to for guidance — Coach Sexton.”
One of Sexton’s endearing qualities was his story-telling ability. He could tell story after story about his life, including his childhood and his trip to Thailand.
"He could always — always — top any story that you could tell," Bradley joked. "He could throw a ringer on any story.”
Sexton was known for his humorous catchphrases and lighthearted analogies.
“This will be a rough season without him, but when I step up to the plate this season, I will always hear him saying ‘Here comes the meat and potatoes, kid,’ ” Castle said, referring to Sexton’s analogy for a slow or flat pitch.
Despite the wonderful man he was, Sexton wasn't a popular roommate on overnight road trips ... because he was a bear-like snorer.
“You tried not to sleep in the room with him or even on the same floor with him if at all possible,” Bradley joked. “He could snore through a wall in a heartbeat.”
Snoring or not, here is hoping Sexton can rest in peace now.
Contact Brett Eversole at cvnsports@coalvalleynews.com or 369-1165.
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