James Thrash "Jim"

James “Jim” Thrash was born

Feb. 16, 1946 in Farina, Illinois.

Jim was mostly known as “Coach Thrash” to his former players and “Papa Jim” to his grandkids. He went to glory on Jan. 5th, 2024, just shy of his 78th birthday.

Jim is survived by his wife Denise and they would have celebrated 53 years of marriage in February. He is also survived by his two sons Jason and Mark, their wives, and five grandkids. Jason, Pam, Keagan (married to Cassidy), and Karsyn all live in Southern Illinois. Mark, Jamie, Hazel, Hank, and Mae live in Southern California. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Wheeler (married to Jim) of Salem Illinois, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jim had recently been diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was doing well but came down with Pneumonia and his lungs and heart were just not strong enough. His family was by his side when Jim passed into the arms of Jesus.

Jim’s home will always be Farina, IL, but he really became a “New Mexican” after going to ENMU, marrying a girl from here, and raising his boys in the East Mountains of Albuquerque. Jim appreciated everything about the state of New Mexico and was a fantastic tour guide for all friends and family that would come visit. He appreciated the outdoors and was a bird hunter and fly fisherman. He also loved the culture and food and New Mexico pottery, paintings, and jewelry for Denise were some of his favorites. Jim’s favorite restaurant is Rancho de Chimayo and the family would make a pilgrimage there every time they all were in Albuquerque together.

Jim graduated from La Grove High School in Farina (IL) in 1964 after earning 14 varsity letters in four sports. He then earned his college degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and graduated with honors. Jim was recruited to Eastern on a basketball scholarship from Thornton Jr. College in Chicago and played for legendary Coach Harry Miller on two highly successful teams. As a senior Jim was voted “Senior Beau” and earned the Senior Athlete Scholastic Award, which was given each year to the senior athlete with the highest G.P.A. in all sports.

After graduating ENMU, Jim taught P.E. at Kennedy Junior High and Acoma Elementary before teaching and coaching basketball for seven years at Manzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 1972-1977. As an assistant, Manzano won two state championships in ’73 & ’74 and as the head coach they won five district titles and Jim was named Coach of the Year in 1975.

Jim then became an assistant coach at Fresno State University in California in 1977. He helped lead their team to four Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championships, three NCAA tourney berths, and the N.I.T. Championship in New York City in 1983. Five of the players who Jim recruited to Fresno State were drafted and had successful careers in the N.B.A.

After 6 highly successful seasons at Fresno State, Jim made a decision to step away from coaching in order to spend more time with his wife, Denise, and two young sons, Jason and Mark and move back to Albuquerque. Jim accepted a position with Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate and was the leading office specialist his first year. He was named Sales Manager of the office his 2nd year, and was promoted to Sr. Vice President, Managing Officer his 3rd year.

During his time in Commercial Real Estate Jim served on several Boards including: Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange, Shalom Prison Ministries for Young Adults, Board member and top fundraiser for UNM Lobo Club, and Board member and Vice President of Albuquerque Economic Development. Even though Jim gave up his college coaching career, he coached his son Jason in AYBL and the Canyon Rebels when 18-0 one year. He then started an AAU youth basketball team with his son Mark called the Albuquerque Bulls. The Bulls went on to win two AAU State Titles and competed in two AAU National Tournaments in Salt Lake City, UT and Memphis, TN.

After several years in real estate, Jim decided to rejoin the coaching ranks and pursue his first love. He accepted a position as the Head Coach at the College of Southern Idaho in 1996, which is one of the winningest Jr. Colleges in the U.S. He inherited a team that went 18-12 in his first year there. In his second year, Jim’s team went 28-4, won the Scenic West Conference championship and Jim earned Conference Coach of the Year.

From there, Jim became an assistant coach at Purdue University in 1998. In his first year at Purdue the Boilermakers advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, and in his second year they advanced to the Elite 8 in the PIT in Albuquerque and narrowly missed an opportunity to play in the Final Four.

Due to all of his success as a college coach, Jim was offered an opportunity to become an NBA talent scout with the Golden State Warriors for his former Fresno St. player Rod Higgins in 2000 and Jim and Denise again moved back to Albuquerque. After three enjoyable years with the Warriors, Jim accepted a similar position with the Charlotte Hornets and their new owner, Michael Jordan. While with the Hornets for eight years, Jim scouted 90-110 college games per year throughout the U.S. Jim then joined the Atlanta Hawks organization and spent two years scouting all college players west of the Mississippi.

Jim and Denise’s sons, Jason and Mark, both serve admirably in the field of Ministry. Jason is an Associate Pastor at Cornerstone, a thriving church in Marion, Illinois. Mark serves as President of NOVO, which is a global ministry with over 600 staff around the world, and based in California.

Whether it was young kids in AAU & AYBL, the mighty Manzano Monarchs, Division 1 athletes, or NBA superstars, Jim was not only passionate about teaching the fundamentals of “God’s sport”, but more than that, he loved investing in and shaping young men. Much of his legacy is in the character of these men and the impact they are now having.

Coach Thrash and Papa Jim will be missed by many. We will miss the nicknames he had for us, his big hug & strong pat embraces, the phone calls, the generosity, and the big laughs. Coach Thrash was old school, and they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Memorial Services are as follows: A Celebration of life will take place at Manzano High School on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. Doors open at 10:00am with “Tip-off” at 10:30.

Additional services will be held in Farina, Illinois on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at the First Southern Baptist Church of Farina. Visitation starts at 2:00 pm with the Celebration of Life beginning at 3:00 pm.

Please visit directfuneralservicesabq.com to leave condolences. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th ST. NW. ABQ. 505-343-8008