James B. Sims

James B. Sims "Duke", of Bethel Park, peacefully at home, on Saturday, March 17, 2018, age 75, beloved husband for 54 years of Evelyn O. (Winnette) Sims, beloved father of James B. Sims, Jr. (Jennifer) & Christian T. Sims, son of the late M. Frances (McKernan) & James W. Sims, brother of Thomas, Katherine & the late William Sims, loving grandfather of Jordan Friedman & Presley Sims, also several nieces, nephews & cousins. Jim was a graduate of Edinboro State College with a Bachelors degree in Education & a Masters degree in Secondary Education at Duquesne University. Then began a long and varied career beginning with the assistant dean of men & assistant basketball coach at Edinboro, a teacher, assistant principal & head basketball coach at Keystone Oaks High School and an assistant basketball coach at Duquesne. He coached Peru's National Men's & Women's Olympic Basketball Team in the South American Championship. The men's team won the bronze medal and the women's team won the gold medal. He was a head basketball coach at Behrand College & Edinboro University. He was a scout for the NBA and coached summer league in Los Angeles. Duke was the president of the San Diego Stingrays of the International Basketball League and was a longtime WPIAL & college football official. Jim was the owner & founder of the Duke Station Restaurants in the south hills of Pittsburgh. Many successful individuals have said he was influential in coaching and mentoring their lives. Visitation Tuesday 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the David J. Henney Funeral Home, 6364 Library Road (RT 88), Library, where a blessing service will be Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Interment in Bethel Cemetery.  www.davidhenneyfuneralhome.com

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