James Thomas Bongo

James Thomas Bongo

GREENVILLE - Mr. James Thomas Bongo died May 26, 2018 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. He was 68 years old.

A celebration of his life is planned for August 3 in Clifton Park, NY. A Memorial Service will be held in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel at 4p.m. on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Mr. Bongo was born in Syracuse, NY and was a longtime resident of Clifton Park before becoming a resident of the Greenville, NC area. He graduated from the University of Wyoming and played football there, which led him to a career coaching high school football. He taught at several schools around New York State but was the longtime head football coach at Troy High School in Troy, NY where he was also an administrator. He touched the lives of many young men over the course of his coaching career but none more than his two sons, Jared and Gene.

Jim was an avid fisherman, hunter, marksman and gun collector. Locally, he was a member of the Pitt County Wildlife Club and the Down East Garand Shooters. Jim enjoyed serving his family and friends the fruits of his outdoor adventures as well as the many stories that accompanied them. In his downtime, few things made him happier than a John Wayne movie. The world is a little quieter without him and he will surely be missed by anyone who made his acquaintance.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Betsy Bongo, of Winterville; along with sons, Gene Klein (Christina Rogers) and Jared Bongo (Marissa); and two grandchildren, Elleri Klein and Cameron Bongo. He's also survived by his aunt, Marilyn Miller; sister, Patricia Gage; and brother, Brian Bongo Sr.; as well as nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the James Bongo Memorial Scholarship Fund. Information about donations can be found at www.gofundme.com/jamesbongoscholarship.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home

Online condolence at www.WilkersonFuneralHome.com

As published in The Daily Reflector