Obituary
James (Jim) Dalrymple, age 87, of Summerfield, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Kathie and two children, Edward (Lisa), David (Jeff), six grandchildren, Lewis (Leya), Allison (Nick), Spencer, (Amanda), Ein, Ian and James. He also was blessed with two great-grandsons, Noah Nguyen and Jeremy Dalrymple. In addition, he has four surviving siblings, Chot Dalrymple, Marie Hauser, Dick Dalrymple and Joan Laguardia.
Jim was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He attended Phillipsburg High where he lettered in football, baseball and track. On graduation, he received a football scholarship to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. He majored in Physical Education and was a Wake Forest Demon Deacon, First team halfback and quarterback. While at Wake Forest, he attended the US Army Reserve Officers training course and after college he was commissioned Second Lieutenant and served as a military policeman, rising to the rank of Captain.
After college he accepted a position with the recreation department, Winston-Salem, NC. He soon was promoted to Assistant Director of the recreation department and in the early 70’s became director of the newly constructed MC Benton Convention Center and the Winston Salem Coliseum. In 1980, he accepted the position of Director of the new Stephen C. O’Connell Center at The University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. In 1984, he accepted position of Director of the Washington DC Sports Commission in Washington, DC.
He oversaw The Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, Home of the Washington Redskins National Football League Champions and The National Guard Armory. During this time, he was on the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Committee and was responsible for bringing the 1996 Atlanta Olympic soccer games to RFK Stadium. He served on the City of Washington, DC committees for the development and acquisition of Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. He retired in 1999 after 40 years in the sports and entertainment business.
Jim was involved in many civic groups during his lifetime. From the Sertoma Club in Winston-Sale, NC to the Kiwanis Club, being a member of The Pigskin Club, The Touchdown Club and President of The Boys and Girls Club that worked with several charities in the Washington, DC area. He contributed heavily to youth sports programs throughout his career. He was an active member of The International Associate of Venue Managers formerly known as The International Association of Facility Managers and served as Director to The Stadium Manager’s Association and the Stadium Convention Center and Arena Committees. He was also very involved in the development of public facility management as a study, and in the cremation of the IAVM’s first public management school, Wheeling VA.
Jim had many friends wherever he lived and while in Washington, DC, was called upon many times to serve his country during major sporting and political events including several presidential elections. In the field of public facility management his belief was that, “The needs of the patron at an event comes first.”
In 2013, Jim and Kathie moved to Summerfield, FL to enjoy their grandchildren, golf and good friends. In addition, over many years he enjoyed going to their land in North Carolina where he hunted and enjoyed being with his North Carolina friends of over 55 years, Tex Leonard, Allen Joines, Bill Racek, John Goins, Tom Fredericks, Vance Handy and so many more.
Funeral Services will be October 8th, 11:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church, 15699 SE 80th Avenue, Summerfield, FL 34491. 352-207-1209. There will be live streaming on facebook, christlutheranchurchelcm.org. There will be a celebration of life on November 6th, in McGrady, NC. Contact Tex Leonard for details 336-924-5350.
In lieu of flowers please support the North Carolina Wildlife Federation www.ncwf.org/membership-giving or phone 919-813-1923. Online Condolences may be said at www.baldwincremation.com.
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