VANDEGRIFT, James R., 85, of Lebanon passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. Born March 31, 1939, in Houston, OH, to Maurice S. and Mary Lou (nee: Williams) VanDeGrift, he was a longtime educator and coach at Lebanon High School. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Faren VanDeGrift. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosalie (nee: Rehmert) VanDeGrift of Lebanon, his son, Ty J (Mary Edith) VanDeGrift of Valrico, FL, his daughters, Jami Rose (Thomas) Rotello of Lebanon and Dana Lynn (Spencer) Cropper of Lebanon, his sister, Myra Jean Paulus of Greenville, OH, and his ten grandchildren, Maria Rotello (Ian) Collins, Grace VanDeGrift, Trey (Jenna) VanDeGrift, Hanah Rotello, Amery VanDeGrift, Roselen Rotello, Josie Cropper, Sophie Cropper, TJ Rotello and Lily Cropper.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Lebanon Presbyterian Church. Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024, 11 AM at the Lebanon District Event Center, 160 Miller Road, Lebanon, OH, 45036. A victory lap for Coach VanDeGrift will take place immediately following around
VanDeGrift Stadium. All in attendance are invited to gather on the field as Coach takes one final lap before a private family committal service at Lebanon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be directed to the Warren County Foundation, c/o Onward Lebanon/VanDeGrift Fund, P.O. Box 495, Lebanon, OH, 45036. Arrangements by the Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon.

STATEMENT/TRIBUTE:
It is with heavy hearts that we share news of Jim's passing. We are grateful for ALL that have supported our family over the last several days. We are humbled and feel the amazing comfort of your prayers. From the bottom of our hearts, we THANK YOU for your kind words, prayers, and stories of Jim. Jim VanDeGrift was born during the Great Depression on March 31, 1939, in Houston, Ohio. When Jim was one, his family moved to a large farm near Rossburg, Ohio, where he would spend his childhood. He was a lifelong Ohio farm boy. He became a proud Ansonia Tiger in high school captaining the football team and lettering in basketball, baseball, and track. He graduated in 1957. He is in AHS Hall of Fame. He accepted a football scholarship to Ohio Northern University, where he captained the Polar Bear football team and lettered in track. He is in ONU Hall of Fame. He graduated from ONU in 1961 with a B.S. degree and later a M.Ed. from Xavier University. Jim began his career at Marysville High School, teaching science and coaching football. In the summer of 1959, Jim’s life changed forever when he met Rosalie Rehmert. They were married on November 23rd, 1961. His coaching and teaching career would continue at Unioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. As their first head football coach, he led the Sherman football team to back-to-back undefeated league championship titles. He is in the Unioto Hall of Fame. Jim is perhaps best known and loved as "Coach Vandy.” In 1967, Coach Vandy took the helm of the Lebanon Warrior's football program in Lebanon, Ohio. By their second season with Coach Vandy, the Warriors had a winning record. In the 70s, the Warriors had undefeated seasons. In 1980, he and his coaching staff led the team to the Ohio State Championship. He is in the Ohio High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the MVFCA Hall of Fame. He loved his fellow coaches and their families. Lebanon High is where his children and many of his grandchildren attended. While at LHS, Jim was Dean of Students, teacher, driver's ed instructor, guidance counselor and truancy officer. He is in the Lebanon City Schools Hall of Fame. Coach Vandy also led the Warriors' Men's Track and Field Team as head coach from 1967 until 1990, winning League championships and taking his athletes to multiple Ohio state championships. Jim served as Athletic Director and started the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at LHS. For many years Jim was a high school and D1 college basketball referee. He is in MBOA basketball officials Hall of Fame. He was a HS track official and is in the MTOA Hall of Fame. He was a radio/TV announcer. After he hung up the clipboard, Jim continued to be involved with Lebanon sports. He was at countless games, coached youth football, and interviewed successful Warrior athletes on the Channel 6 Sports Show. He loved Lebanon on all levels. On any night of the week, he would be at Warrior athletic events. He always supported his children and grandchildren in their HS and college athletic and academic careers all around the US. He was a man of deep, committed faith, serving as a Sunday School teacher, elder, and usher at Lebanon Presbyterian Church for many years. Any Sunday, you could find Jim and Rosie's Sunday School class complete with coffee and Biblical truth. Jim was notorious for calling on anyone randomly and putting them on the spot. He deeply cared for the folks in his class and took his teaching responsibility seriously. Jim modeled for us what it meant to walk with the Lord. Out of his devoted service to the community, Jim served as a Turtlecreek Township Trustee for nine consecutive terms. The township was instrumental to his survival during the summer of 1997 when Jim's tractor exploded in a terrible accident. In a few seconds, he was consumed by flames, leaving 80% of his body with severe burns. But God determined that it wasn't Jim's time yet–that there was still work for Jim on this side of Heaven. Jim not only miraculously survived, but he persevered through a challenging recovery. That summer also revealed the character of our wonderful community. Our family will never forget the kindness and support that the people of Lebanon, Ohio, showed us during that time. We remain grateful for God's grace shown through the doctors and staff at Miami Valley Hospital, who gave us 27 more years with him as well as all who were a part of the miracles that were witnessed. He spent the rest of his life as a walking reminder that prayer is powerful, and God is good! Jim didn't know a stranger. He did not write anyone off. He could see the potential in people, even when they could not see it in themselves. This doesn't mean he was easy or soft. Always a coach, he would tell you to "get at it" or "never let anyone outwork you." “Attitude, Attitude, Attitude!” Jim would push us to be better, but his love didn't depend on our successes or failures. His grandkids often would hear him say, "It's not where you've been; it's where you're going.” He joins his Creator, parents, and brother in Heaven. He is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we know we will see him again.

https://www.hoskinsfh.com/obituary/james-vandegrift