Coach Jim Drewry

James Barron “Jim” Drewry, age 86, passed away on April 23, 2018, at Baptist Hospital in Booneville, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Saturday at First Baptist Church in Booneville, with visitation on Friday evening at First Baptist Church from 5 to 9 pm. Jim was best known as “Coach Drewry” for his legendary 50-year career in high school football. Coaching was his passion, and throughout his career he was a role model and mentor to hundreds of young players. Because of his longevity, he even had the unique opportunity to coach three generations of players from some families. In 2009, Coach Drewry became the winningest public school football coach in the State of Mississippi. James Drewry was born on May 8, 1931, to Barron and Mary Drewry of Corinth. He graduated from Kossuth High School and played football at Northeast Community College for two years. He then played football at Delta State University, where he later served as a graduate assistant to the football program. After college, he served for two years in the US Army. Upon completing his military service, he began his football coaching career as the head coach at Kossuth High School in 1958. After two seasons, he was hired as an assistant coach for Brandon High School. During his tenure in Brandon, he met Edna Morgan from McLaurin, and after only a six-week courtship they married on April 27, 1962. The couple had their first son, Barry, in 1963, and their second son, Steve, in 1966. Coach Drewry left Brandon in 1965 to become the head coach of Booneville High School, where he would spend the next thirteen years. He was then recruited to become the head coach of Kossuth High School in 1978. He coached at Kossuth High School, where both his sons played football, until 1986. After a brief retirement, Coach Drewry returned to coaching and spent the final decades of his career at Booneville High School. He retired in 2009 at the age of 77. During his career, Coach Drewry received numerous state and national awards. He was inducted into the MS Association of Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992, and he was named State Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000. He received the Gerald R. Ford All-American High School Coach award in 2003. He was inducted into the National Federation of High Schools Hall of Fame and was named National High School Football Coach of the Year. He served as coach of the Mississippi All-Star team in the Shriners All-Star Classic for multiple years during his career. In 2010, he was awarded the American Football Coaches Association Power of Influence Award in Orlando, FL. He completed his coaching career with a remarkable overall record of 346-157-5 and three state championships. The City of Booneville honored his impact on high school football by renaming the road to the football stadium Jim Drewry Drive. He is survived by his wife, Edna Drewry; sons Barry Drewry and wife Mechele; Steve Drewry and wife Katie; and grandchildren Lauren Kate Drewry, Morgan Drewry, Nate Drewry and Meagan Drewry. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Gail Bivins. Memorials may be made to the: Coach Jim Drewry Scholarship Fund Northeast Mississippi Community College Development Foundation 101 Cunningham Blvd. Booneville, MS 38829

Coach Jim Drewry

May 8, 1931 - April 23, 2018

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Coach Jim Drewry

May 8, 1931 - April 23, 2018

About Us

What We Do

Contact Us

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

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