James T. "Scoogie" Smith, 78 years young, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania passed from this earthly life into his eternal life on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Pocopson Nursing Home, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Scoogie was born on December 18, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the proud parents Mr. James C. Smith and Mrs. Blanche O. Smith, fondly known as "Mrs. Marvelous", both of whom preceded him in death as well as one son, Dwayne A. Smith, and 2 step great-grandchildren, Morgan Mitchell and London Mitchell.

A graduate of S. Horace Scott Sr. High School (1964), Smith earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Maryland State College in 1968, majoring in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation with a minor in Biology. He furthered his education with a Master of Science Education Degree from Neumann College in 2005.

After graduation, he became an educator in the Octorara School District. He coached 9th grade JV and Varsity basketball teams at Devon Preparatory School from 1975 to 1982. In 1982, he returned to Coatesville as the head girls basketball coach. Coach Smith then assisted with the Coatesville High School's boys team from 1985 to 1993 and became the interim head coach for the 1989-1990 season. His team won a Ches-Mont championship with an 18-8 record. Coach Smith also was an assistant to head coach Ross Kershey from 1993-1995 seasons. After he was named the head coach in 1995, he led his Coatesville teams to eight consecutive league championships, two district crowns in 2000 and 2001, and one eastern regional championship. Coach James T. "Scoogie" Smith's Coatesville High team went on to win the PIAA quarterfinals a state basketball championship in 2001, the first in the school's history. Coach mentored and had many successful athletes during his tenure at Coatesville, coaching two All-Americans, Richard "Rip" Hamilton (Detroit Pistons) and John "Tootie" Allen, also Darrell Lewis and Mark Sweet, who all played professionally overseas and Jake Royal who played and toured with the Washington Generals (Harlem Globetrotters). During his coaching career, he was named the Daily Local News Coach of Year 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2012. His overall coaching record was 294 - 148. "Scoogie" recorded his 300th win and guided the Raiders to the semi-final playoffs for the first time since 2003. "Scoogie" retired June 9, 2010 from teaching and coaching, then returned to substitute teaching.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to sports and education, Coach Smith was inducted into the Coatesville Area High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

A pillar of his community, Coach Smith was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Passtown, serving as a Deacon and participating in various church groups, including the Men's Fellowship Choir, the Male Ushers, attended Sunday School, and Bible study.

Coach Scoogie Smith's impact on the lives he touched, both on and off the court, will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him. His legacy of excellence, compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his wife, family, students, and players will continue to inspire future generations.

He was a devoted family man. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 30 years (July 9, 1994), Louise Lambert Smith, Dr. Judith Lee Smith, daughter-in-law of Atlanta, GA, stepsons: Robert J. Jackson of Fort Worth, TX and Jarrett A. Jackson of Coatesville, PA; five step-grandchildren: Ebonie Jackson of Fort Worth, TX; Tarren Flowers of Fayetteville, NC; Tierra Flowers of Raeford, NC; Robert Jackson, II (Kimberly) of Fort Worth, TX, and Ja'Nya Jackson-Butler of Coatesville, PA, and seven step-great-grandchildren: Jonathan Mitchell, Tailor Mitchell, Victoria Banks and Madison Banks all of Fort Worth, TX, CheyAnne Costello of Fayetteville, NC, Journi Flowers of Raeford, NC, and Melani-Reign Jackson of Fort Worth, TX. God-Child: ReSha' Lynn Washington of Coatesville, PA. Terre Smith-Lewis of Leola, PA, a special cousin/sister; David Brickhouse of San Bernardino, CA; a special friend/brother, sister-in-law, Joyce Taylor (Richard), of Matawan, NJ; brother-in-law, Thomas D. Lambert, Sr. (Lillian), of West Chester, PA, and a host of other cousins and other friends.

His family mourns his passing and celebrates his life of faith, family, service, and love.

A viewing will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday at Wright Funeral & Cremation Services, 725 Merchant Street, Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Services Celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Passtown, 117 Barber Ave, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Coatesville, PA 19320.  A viewing will be held from 8:00 AM until 10:30 AM.

Click here to watch the recording of the service on Facebook​

The interment will be in New Evergreen Cemetery, Coatesville, PA.

Family and friends may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page. All are welcome to light a candle in Coach Scoogie's memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations  be sent to: the Alzheimer's/Dementia Association , 225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl 17, Chicago, TL 60601, (www.alz.org) and the Kidney Foundation , 30 East 33rd St, New York, NY 10016, (www.kidney.org)

Alzheimer's/Dementia Association
225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl 17, Chicago IL 60601
Web: http://www.alz.org

National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd St, New York NY 10016
Web: http://www.kidney.org/donation