Jim Tyree, 79, inducted into multiple Halls of Fame as an athlete and coach

’s prowess in coaching and dedication to teaching landed him in the Hall of Fame and on the school’s Faculty Wall of Fame.

Honors garnered by the Stow resident, who died Feb. 12 at age 79, reached beyond the school where he taught for 33 years.

 Tyree also was inducted into the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association, Baldwin-Wallace College Athletic, Summit County Wrestling, Summit County Sports and Akron Ellet Football halls of fame.

 The Akron native, also known as James G. Tyree, lettered in football as a quarterback and halfback at Ellet High School.

 After graduating in 1949, he played baseball in the Cleveland Indians farm system in Batavia, NY, for two years.

 His time as a professional ballplayer made him ineligible to play baseball at Baldwin-Wallace College in the 1950s. Yet he managed to earn 10 varsity letters in football, wrestling and track.

 Tyree played offense and defense and punted for the B-W football team. He was named the school’s Most Valuable Player his junior year and led small college punters from across the country in 1953 with a 42.18 yard average per kick.

As a member of the track team, he participated in the long jump, relays and 100-, 200- and 400-yard dashes. He also lettered for three years in wrestling.

 In 1955, Tyree graduated from BW and began coaching football and track at the then relatively new Highland High School in Medina County.

The following year, he joined the faculty at Stow High, where he taught health and physical education. He also coached football, basketball, soccer, track and, most notably, wrestling.

During Tyree’s 28 years as wrestling coach, his teams produced six state champions, five metro championships, five sectional titles, two district crowns and two seasons as one of Ohio’s  top three wrestling teams.

Tyree, who held a master’s degree from , was named Stow Teacher of the Year in 1980.

 For more than 30 years, he also worked for Munroe Falls Metro Parks, first as a lifeguard at the former Renner Park, later as a parks manager. For the last 22 years, he managed the Silver Lake Boathouse, where he taught sailing, kayaking and windsurfing.

His wife of 48 years, Donna, died in 2004.

Tyree is survived by their children, Janeann Richardson, Leslie Feldman and Jay of Tallmadge; six grandchildren; and his brother, Dan.

A memorial service will take place at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at The Chapel, 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 

Donations may be made to Tallmadge Alliance Church, 1155 East Ave., Tallmadge, OH  44278.

Arrangements are by of Stow.