Benjamin D. James, Sr.

Benjamin D. James Sr., 102, Carlisle, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2015 at the Sarah A. Todd Home in Carlisle.
Born August 10, 1912, in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late David and Janet King James of Plymouth. He was preceded in death by his first wife Grace Picton James, his second wife Elizabeth Flower James, a brother Richard King James and his son Benjamin D. James, Jr.
Ben is survived by his son J. Wesley James and his wife Joyce of Carlisle, three grandchildren, Scott W. James (wife Catherine) of BelAir, MD., Kristin J. Furness (husband Douglas) of Fayetteville, PA, Shari J. Black (husband Kent) of Milton, GA, and eleven great grandchildren, Ryan James (wife Amanda), Brandon James, Kacey James, Matthew Farace, Erica James, Jonathan Furness, Devin Furness, Lauren Black, Michael Black, Abigail Black, and Andrew Black.
Ben was a graduate of Plymouth High School, received his Bachelor's Degree from Dickinson College, his Master's Degree from Bucknell University, and his Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania. While at Dickinson, Ben was an outstanding athlete competing in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the Dickinson College football team which defeated Penn State in 1932. Upon graduation from Dickinson he returned to Plymouth High School where he taught and coached football, basketball, and track from 1932 to 1940. In 1940 he accepted a teaching and coaching assignment at Dickinson College. During his 40 years at Dickinson, Ben served as Head Football Coach, Director of Admissions, Assistant to the President and was referred to by many as "Mr. Dickinson." In the summer of 2014 Ben was recognized as "President for a Day" by President Nancy Roseman. Ben was awarded three Honorary Doctorate Degrees including a Doctor of Liberal Arts from Dickinson College, a Doctor of Law from the Dickinson School of Law, and a Doctor of Community Service from the Harrisburg Area Community College. Following his retirement from Dickinson, Ben served as a consultant at Daily Motors.
Ben was an active member of the Carlisle community. He was instrumental in bringing Little League Baseball to Carlisle, served on a committee to integrate the Carlisle Schools, and was chairman of a State-wide Committee on Labor and Industry for which he was recognized by the Governor of the Commonwealth. Ben was inducted into the Dickinson College Sports Hall of Fame and the South Central Sports Hall of Fame. He was a former member of the Allison United Methodist Church in Carlisle and is a current member of St. John's Episcopal Church of Carlisle. Ben was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II serving in the Philippines.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, July 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA with Rev. Harry Knisely and Rev. Canon Mark A. Scheneman, ( Ret. ) officiating. A reception will follow at St. John's in the Social Hall. Private interment will be in the Westminster Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dickinson College, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013 or St. John's Episcopal Church, 1 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013.
To sign the guest book, please visit www.hoffmanroth.com.