Larry James dies at 61; had part in masters budget boost

Larry James, a 4×4 Olympic champ back in 1968, died today of cancer, according to message board posts and this news article. Larry didn’t run masters track, but he had an important role in helping our niche. In December 2004, he sat on a USATF appeals board that heard then-MTF national chairman George Mathews ask for extra money for the Masters T&F budget. They said yes. Here was my report from that USATF annual meeting in Portland. Track has lost a great one, and masters a friend.

Print Friendly

November 6, 2008

6 Responses

  1. al cestero - November 6, 2008

    what a shame…my condolences to his family.once again a great athlete and person is taken too early. may god bless him and his family. albert

  2. rich wallace - November 7, 2008

    Back in the mid-70s I ran for a D3 college in Stockton’s conference when Larry was coaching there. He was always supportive of his team’s “opponents” and gladly offered some training advice when I asked him for it. I appreciated knowing him.

  3. Bill Collins - November 7, 2008

    This is sad news, I knew Larry well, he went to White Plans HS, he was one of the one’s I looked up to, not just a great athlete, but a great person, that was always there for everyone. He will be missed. Rest well my friend, you touched many of us.

  4. Ken Effler - November 7, 2008

    What sad news. I grew up a half hour south of White Plains and Larry was one of my first hero’s in track. I was so proud that 3 local athletes had medaled in the Mexico games: Larry, Al Oerter, and Vince Mathews. Now sadly only Vince remains with us.
    It was a pleasure to watch Larry compete, whether it was at the Penn Relays or at the many indoor meets in NYC in the late 60’s. I can still picture him in his Villanova jersey.
    Last spring he was a medal presenter at the Louck’s Games at his alma mater-White Plains HS. While he didn’t present the medals in my son’s event, I made sure to make my son aware that one of the greatest 400 meter runers in track history was at the meet, and that this was the place where he started his career.
    My sincere condolences to his family. He will be missed.

  5. Horace Grant - November 8, 2008

    My condolences to the family. What and a great example and influence for all of us who came along after the late sixties into the early seventies. There were other great 400 meter runners then, but Larry; he will be remembered as someone who was very very special!

  6. Ken Stone - November 8, 2008

    A wonderful profile:
    http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/308730.html

Leave a Reply