Coach Jim Perrine

James Oliver "Coach Jim" Perrine, 89 of Higginsville, Missouri passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Meyer Care Center. He was born Wednesday, November 21, 1934 in the Waterloo bottoms outside Wellington, Missouri. He was the son of the late Oliver Perrine and the late Marie (Davis) Perrine. Jim began his life with humble beginnings growing up on a farm in the flood plains of the Missouri River where they had no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. He attended school in Wellington, MO and graduated from Wellington High School in 1952. This is where sports were introduced to Jim and he fell in love with athletics. He attended CMSU in Warrensburg, MO graduating in 1956. From 1959 to 1963, Jim worked in the summers to pay for his Master's degree in Secondary Administration. Jim was very proud of his efforts to be able to graduate college without any school debt due to his dedication and hard work in the summers to pay for his education. He started his teaching career at Henrietta High School. While in the Lexington, MO area he met Virginia Pessetto and married her on May 23, 1959. She was the love of his life for the next 65 years. Jim joined the US Army Reserves in 1957 and served proudly for six years ready to deploy if and when his country needed him. He continued his teaching and coaching career with Malta Bend High School and in 1960 took a position to coach and teach in Higginsville. Coach Perrine was warned when he took the position that the Higginsville basketball team was so terrible that they hadn't had a winning record in over a decade. In his second year coaching he brought the basketball team out of the graveyard and finished with a record of 23-3, winning the MRVC Championship for the first time in school history. Coach Perrine went on to repeat that accolade many times, placing at Districts, placing at State, and breaking school records. Through the 80's Coach Perrine took the position of Middle School Principal and Athletic Director, retiring from education in 1988. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing, camping at the Lake of Ozarks, attending church, spending time with family and being a proud Grandpa. Coach Perrine has had a legendary coaching and teaching career impacting the hearts and minds of many students, athletes, and colleagues. He was inducted into the High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001. The Lafayette County High School basketball court was named in his honor, "Jim Perrine Court" in 2008. In 2013 he was inducted into the Husker Athletic Hall of Fame. His presence on and off the court will forever be missed and his impact in this community will forever be remembered. Surviving are his wife, Virginia Perrine of the home; two sons, Mike (Jane) Perrine of Higginsville, and Mark (Jean) Perrine of Higginsville; five grandchildren, Aaron (Mary) Perrine, Austin Perrine, Alex Perrine, Abbie (Brandon) Struchtemeyer, Maggie (Clayton) Hughes; three great-grandchildren, Waylon, Lennon, and Walker. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Paula Perrine; infant twin brothers, Bill and Charles Perrine; sisters, Bonita Perrine and Shirley Stanley. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Lafayette Co. C-1 High School East Gymnasium. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 AM with Pastor Julie Sanders officiating accompanied by Rev. Glen and Evelyn Elmore, and Dr. Rich Cole giving the eulogy. Burial will be in the City Cemetery. Casket Bearers: Clayton Hughes, Aaron Perrine, Alex Perrine, Austin Perrine, Brandon Struchtemeyer, Bryce Pessetto. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paula M. Perrine Memorial Scholarship.

Coach Jim Perrine

November 21, 1934 - August 24, 2024