Ralph Smith "Slats" McCord

1922 - 2012

SHERMAN - Ralph Smith "Slats" McCord went to be with his Lord on April 30, 2012 after fighting a courageous battle with cardiopulmonary disease. He lived a blessed life beginning December 10, 1922 in Sugar Land, Texas.

Ralph was the third of seven children born to John Weltmer McCord and Hattie Lee Smith McCord. His life in that small town was idyllic. The summers were spent playing with his numerous cousins and swimming in Oyster Creek. His school days were filled with studying, playing football, tennis, and basketball. He excelled in football, and when he graduated, his number was retired.

Ralph was never allergic to work. Two of his early jobs were delivering ice from the ice truck to the families in Sugar Land that owned "ice boxes," and selling Liberty magazine at the local bank. After graduation from high school, feeling the patriotic call of his country, he joined the Navy to fight in World War II. He was a Chief Machinist's Mate, 3rd Class in the Navy, serving the first three years on the USS Hyperion, which took supplies to combat troops from New Zealand to Guadalcanal and other Pacific islands, and 1 year on the USS Barnes, an aircraft carrier.

After the end of World War II, Ralph started college in the fall of 1946, attending Austin College. He followed several cousins, one being from Sugar Land who gave him the nickname of "Slats." He played basketball and baseball and met his cherished wife of 62 years, Kate Moore. They married in Sherman, Texas, on April 5, 1950, and graduated in May of that same year.

He began his career as a coach in the fall of 1950 at Katy High School in Katy, Texas, earning his Masters Degree at the University of Houston during that time. He returned to Austin College in 1955 to begin his long and fulfilling career as college coach, teacher and mentor to many highly regarded students. While at Austin College he coached football, golf, tennis, track and helped coach men's and women's basketball, briefly. He was also assistant Athletic Director under his long time friend Bob Mason.

Slats earned many awards during his 4-decade tenure which included the Homer P. Rainey Award, the Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement. He was twice named the NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1968 and 1981 and was inducted into the Austin College Athletics Hall of Honor in 1977 and 1999. Slats was honored to have been a part of the Austin College family for so many years. He retired first from teaching and coaching football and stayed part time until 1996 to coach his favorite sport of all time, golf.

Slats had many loves in his life, the greatest being his love of God, which he showed by serving as elder at Grand Avenue Presbyterian and 1st Presbyterian (Covenant Presbyterian). He enjoyed welcoming people to church on Sunday morning, taking any newcomers under his wing and showing them the love he felt for his Lord. Another was his enjoyment of all kinds of music.

He is survived by his wife, Kate; three children: daughter, Martha Kate McCord of Dallas; son, Matthew Ralph McCord of Liberty, Mo.; and daughter, Annabelle Chamberlain and companion Johnny Harvey of Bells, Texas; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters: Jean Babineaux and Carolyn Williams of Sugar Land, Texas; and many dear nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Emily Andre, Sammie Reading, and Monnye Smith; and one brother, John L. McCord.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Wynne Chapel at Austin College in Sherman on Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m. with Dr. John Williams and Dr. Lander Bethel officiating. The internment will be at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas at 5 p.m. with Dr. Reverend Marshall Zieman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Presbyterian Children's Home and Services, Austin College, Home Hospice of Grayson County, or any charity of your choice.

An online guest register may signed at www.waldofuneralhome.com. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.