James C. Hough

Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 10:00 a.m. at Greater Christ Temple, 701 Sunbury Road, Columbus, OH 43219. Interment: Eastlawn Cemetery.

James C. Hough, also known as Coach Hough, was born on July 12, 1946. He departed this life’s journey on Monday October 9, 2023, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born to James H. & Odessa (Meadows) Hough on Maple Grove Farm in Clarksville, Ohio. James was baptized at an early age at Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he traveled with the young people and the Sunday School teacher, Deacon Neff, to various conferences.

He was preceded in death by Great-grandparents, John & Sarah Cardwell; Grandparents, Nathaniel & Nettie Hough, all of Cols., Oh.;  Judge & Dora Meadows of Indian Trail, NC.;  Parents, Deacon James C. & Deaconess Odessa(Meadows) Hough of Cols., Ohio; Brother, Frank Collins of Charlotte, NC.; Sisters, Myrtle Collins of Cols., Oh and Helen Collins of New York; Father & Mother-in-law, Deacon William & Deaconess Lorraine Cromwell of Cols., Oh; and Special niece, Marie Collins of Charlotte, NC.

James graduated from EAST HIGH SCHOOL in 1964, and in 1966 he graduated from Automatic IBM school. He worked at Hutchinson Furniture Store on Mt. Vernon Ave. and Westinghouse. James was a dedicated employee of The Kroger Company where he retired after 41.5 years. Upon retirement James joined his son’s (James’) trucking company,  H & A Services Transportation, where he remained for 12 years.

James loved coaching wrestling and helping young men. He assisted Coach Harold McClure for 30 years at Central High, EAST HIGH, and Mifflin High Schools. He was a state wrestling qualifier in 1963 and 1964. He was an avid fisherman and hunter; he also enjoyed camping and traveling with his family.

James leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 56 years, Delorise Hough. Of this union two children were born;  Son, James D. Hough, Daughter, Danielle D. (LoJaun) Holloway; Brother, Ceric Campbell; Grandchildren, Brenda D. (Stevie) Craft, Siraj A. Muhammad,  Rasheed F. Muhammad, Lanea Holloway, and Layla Holloway; Great-grandchildren, Siraj K. Muhammad, Aubrey Craft, and Elise Craft all of Cols., Ohio.

Special friends, Paul Patton of Silver Springs, FL., Danny Hilton, Larry Sterling, and Charles Nimmons of Cols., Ohio; Special daughters, Lolita Vaughn, Taelor Lipscomb, Athena Jackson and Brittany Smith of Cols., Ohio; Special son, Billy G. Cox Jr. of Campton, NH; Uncle, Merina Holman of Jackson, MS.; Cousin, Rose Caroll of Nashville, TN.;  Sisters-in-law, Elizabeth (Prince) Malden and Gail (Harry) Evans both of Cols., Ohio; Brothers-in-law, William (Lucy) Cromwell of Savanna, GA. and Herbert (Vickie) Cromwell of Cols., Ohio; a niece, a host of cousins, the many wrestlers, and those individuals that he met throughout his lifetime.

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