Former James High School head football coach Richard “Dick” Harmison died Sunday at age 97 in Williamsburg.
After a long career as an athlete and coach, Harmison took over as head coach for the Colonels in 1985 and had a 10-29-1 record over five seasons.
Harmison was an outstanding football player at Romney (W.Va.) High School and went on have fine college careers at both Potomac State College and Shepherd University, where he graduated in 1951.
Harmison had successful high school head coaching stints in West Virginia at Charles Town (1955-1959) and Martinsville (1960-1964) before moving onto the college ranks as an assistant coach. He had a pair of stops at Virginia Military Institute (1965-1968 and 1973-1985) sandwiched around a stint at William & Mary (1969-1972). At William & Mary, Harmison coached with future legends Marv Levy and Lou Holtz.
After his coaching ended at James Wood, Harmison continued to teach, retiring in 1993. He resided in Stephens City for 32 years and was instrumental in founding the Shenandoah Valley Retired Coaches Association. He moved to Williamsburg in 2018.
Harmison is a member of the Shepherd University, Potomac State, Martinsburg High School and Hampshire County Halls of Fame.
A celebration of his life will be held at Omps Funeral Home in Winchester on Oct. 26 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception.