W.T. Shumake & Daughters

James Edward McGhee, 72, of Louisville died Saturday May 4, 2019 at Baptist Health. Jim McGhee was an assistant athletic director for varsity sports and student life at the University of Louisville. McGhee joined the athletic staff in 1977 as assistant athletic trainer and football equipment manager. He was named the university's equipment and facilities manager in 1986 before he moved into his most recent position, a job he held for 24 years. For 20 years with the athletic department, he operated the NCAA National Youth Sports Program, a summer program for at-risk boys and girls. "Jim was the definition of the true Cardinal Spirit. He was loyal, hardworking and a stickler for detail. One of the most organized and meticulous members of the athletic staff, he was 100 percent reliable, had a true servant's heart and was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be sorely missed here at Cardinal Athletics," said Kenny Klein, senior associate athletic director, who worked with Mr. McGhee for 36 years, in a release. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and science at Mississippi Valley State in 1969 and a master's degree in human movement and physical education at Boston University in 1975. He was assistant athletic trainer at Harvard from 1973-77 and was head athletic trainer and equipment manager at Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley State from 1971-73 and 1969-71, respectively. He is survived by his wife Linda, son James McGhee Jr., daughter Veronica Garner and six grandchildren. Visitation will be held on May 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the funeral following on May 14 at noon, according to the release. Both will be held at Watson Memorial Baptist at 7217 Nachand Lane, Louisville, Kentucky, 40218.