James Edward "Jimmy" Clardy

James Edward Clardy (Jimmy) was born September 21, 1942 in Nashville, Tennessee to Katie Brownlow and James Snowden, who predeceased him in death. He attended Nashville public schools and graduated from Pearl High School. He went on to enroll in and graduate from Tennessee State University (TSU) with a degree in Physical Education. During his years at TSU, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and was a member of the “Defiant 34” line of 1967. Jimmy also was a former member of the Harlem Magicians. After working briefly at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, he moved to Houston, Texas in 1975 where he started work with the Boy Scouts organization. He then started what was the beginning of a long-term educational career at Grissom Elementary School in Houston. On Labor Day 1976, Jimmy met his future wife, Thelma “Sue” Sanders, a law student, at a picnic. In June 1980, the two of them united in marriage. They started their married life in Dallas, Texas, where Jimmy began working for the Dallas ISD, and Thelma continued her career as an attorney with the federal government. In 1987, Jimmy and Thelma were blessed with a daughter, Michelle, who was the apple of Jimmy’s eye. “Coach” Clardy had a long and successful coaching career in the Dallas Independent School district, and remained in the district for many years until his retirement in 2002. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as head basketball coach at David W. Carter High School. During his coaching career, Jimmy earned the far-reaching respect of his students, players, and colleagues alike who looked up to him as a mentor and father figure. He touched many a player and student in a powerful and positive manner and continued to do so throughout his life. Many of his students continued to stay in touch with him past his retirement. At the time of his death, Jimmy was working part-time for the city of DeSoto in its park and recreation department where he continued to work with youth in the city’s recreational programs. He also worked part-time with the Dallas ISD in its athletic program. In his spare time, he enjoyed spoiling his granddaughter, Marchelle, and building his business, Clardy Enterprises, a clothing and Greek paraphernalia company. Jimmy was also one of several proud team members along with his wife, then a DeSoto city councilmember, who traveled to Anaheim, California in June 2006 and came back with the award-winning designation of “All-America City” for the city of DeSoto (a Nobel-like prize for cities who implement creative problem-solving solutions). His infectious, outgoing, and gregarious personality will be greatly missed by his wife, Thelma, daughter, Michelle Clardy and granddaughter, Marchelle Clardy, all of DeSoto; son, Keith Meadows of Atlanta, Georgia, aunts Dorothy A. Clardy and Dorothy “Dot” Clardy and brother, Tony Brownlow, all of Nashville, Tennessee; sister, Andrella Kenner of Atlanta, Georgia; sister-in-law Alice Edwards (Ben) of Frisco, Texas, brother-in-law Curtis Sanders (Nora) of Walnut, California; mother-in-law Yvonne Sanders of McKinney, Texas, and a host of cousins, friends, and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, donations made out to the "Tennessee State University Foundation" earmarked for the Million Dollar Challenge in memory of "James Clardy" would be appreciated. They may be mailed to: TSU Foundation, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Campus Box 9542, Nashville, TN 37209 or made online at www.tnstate.edu. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 26 at 1:00 P.M. at the DeSoto Town Center / Bluebonnet Rooms