He coached in Pierce County for 16 years. This scholarship for athletes aims to honor him

Puyallup Coach Doug James, also known as CJ, will be remembered for his dedication.

“My dad was very passionate about impacting young athletes,” Jaclyn Ramsey, James’ daughter said.

James spent 16 years coaching at Rogers High School. He coached softball from 2006-22 and football from 2018-21. He also coached football at Ballou Junior High School from 2010-17.

He passed away on Dec. 30 following a stroke. He was 67.

In addition to his daughter, James is survived by his wife, Sandra James, sons Jesse James and Jeremiah James, and five grandchildren.

Ramsey and her family started a GoFundMe page on Jan. 5 to raise money for a scholarship fund in honor of her father. The plan is to raise money for at least three softball student athletes at Rogers High School, awarding one scholarship per year.

The family had raised $4,120 as of Jan. 27. The goal was $4,000. The GoFundMe page can be found at bit.ly/3HbFZBf.

The scholarship will be given to the senior student athlete who embodies Doug James’ “Pentagon to Success,” his coaching and life philosophy. The five characteristics required are: commitment and perseverance, true humility, selflessness, a courageous heart and a servant mind.

“We would hope they would use it for … some type of secondary education,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey’s father was a huge sports fan. He supported the Los Angeles Angels, she said.

He often got his hands on coaching books, and eventually decided to make his own coaching and life philosophy.

Doug James was born on Nov. 24, 1955, in California. He got his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Central College in Iowa. He settled in Washington a few years after Ramsey moved to Puyallup to play softball at Pacific Lutheran University.

Ramsey and her father worked together at Rogers High a few years after she began coaching. She was the head coach while her father was the assistant coach. This opportunity gave them all kinds of quality time, Ramsey said.

“He balanced what I was missing, and I balanced what he was missing,” Ramsey said. “We made a good team.”

Watching the student athletes grow and reach their full potential is one of Ramsey’s favorite memories with her father, as they both shared a passion for it. Her father was a kind, honest and volunteer-minded person, she said.

“I feel blessed that I had 16 years of coaching with my dad after years of him coaching me when I was younger,” Ramsey said.

The family held a memorial service earlier this month.