Mr. James Earl Waldon

Born on September 19, 1954, in Farmersville, Texas, to the late John Earl Waldon, Sr., and Hattie Mae Brown Waldon, James Earl Waldon went home to be with the Lord in the early afternoon of July 8, 2025. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. James was a man among men: outstanding in character, fervent in his walk with God, and unrelenting in his commitment to the young men and women who called him, "Coach."
He was preceded in death by his sister Monica Waldon. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory two sisters: Charletta Nelson and Regina Calloway; three brothers; Gerald Robinson (Gloria), Steven Waldon (Fabiola), and John Waldon, Jr. (Raquel). He will be greatly missed by his brothers-in-law: Barry Slay (Karen), Kenneth Slay, and Royal Chipp; his sisters-in-law Joyce Slay Green, Cathy Slay-Chipp, Johnetta Slay, Helen Slay, and Carol Slay.
He leaves to mourn his passing, four beloved aunts; Vallie Adams, Evon Williams (Charles), Beverly Lewis, and Jessie Mae Glaspie. He also was blessed through the years to surround himself with coaches who became dear friends: Christina Shafer, Donald Moore, Frank Jones, Shekinah Alexander, Donald Hardy, and Reginald Bass.
On July 9, 1988, James married the former, Karen Leona Slay. A year later, they welcomed their son, James Earl Waldon II who was joined in 1993 by his sister Rachel Monica Waldon. Karen was the love of his life as he was of hers, and his children were the apple of his eye. James was a model family man and a standard bearer of Christian commitment. In the home, he was a quiet yet steady presence. His leadership of family devotion time created a rich and lasting legacy for his family. His children were active participants in family devotions as he would often allow James to read the scripture and Rachel to open with what was her favorite hymn, "What a Mighty God We Serve." James adored his granddaughter Jade and often prayed for God's guidance and direction over her life. Until the very end, James glorified God for all that He had done for him and for the family he so loved.
James attended school in Houston, Texas, graduating from Phyllis Wheatley High School, where he was a member of the 1972 Texas State Basketball Championship team. Known for his skill as a shooting guard, James would often hear fans yelling from the bleachers, "Shot it from there, Red!" He earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida.
James was a career educator and coach with experience spanning from elementary health and physical education to collegiate coaching. He spent his entire K-12 career with the Dekalb County School System. Teaching was his love; coaching was his passion.
James began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Lake City Community College in Lake City, Florida. His coaching experience included stints at Edward Waters College, Southern Polytechnic College, and the Atlanta Trojans of the United States Basketball League (USBL). It was, however, during his long career as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) that his teams became a powerhouse of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic
Association (GCAA) Region 17. Winning was always the goal, but James's focus as a coach was to model and build excellence in character and disposition. Although he recruited high level student-athletes, he often gave opportunities to student-athletes needing a second chance.
During his tenure as head women's coach at Georgia Perimeter College, 50 of his student athletes went on to four-year colleges and universities with five being named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans. He led his teams to seven GCAA/NJCAA Region XVII Championships and six NJCAA National Championship appearances. Five times, he was named GCAA Region XVII NJCAA Coach of the Year. During this period, he compiled eight 20-win seasons and was selected as a Trials Court Coach for USA Basketball 2006. As coach of the USBL Atlanta Trojans, James coached eleven players to the NBA.
During the two years prior to his passing, James came out of retirement to serve as head men and women's basketball coach at Southern Crescent Technical College. He remained humble and steadfastly focused on relationship building and challenged his players to understand that win or lose on the court, to live a life of integrity is the epitome of winning.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For 70 years, in times of challenge and controversy, James was consistent and predictable. He was calm and steady; forgiving and faithful; trusted and true. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He has forever left us all better than we were.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Burden's Funeral Home. Service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at Burden's Funeral Home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service hour. Interment will follow i Eastlawn Memorial Park in mcDonought, GA. Pastor Lammon S. Green is the Eulogist, and Pastor Jamie Brown is the Officiant.
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