James (Jim) Hines' Obituary
James Hines was born on September 10, 1946, to the proud parents of Minnie and Charlie Hines in
Dumas, Arkansas. He was the eighth child of twelve children. At the age of six, he moved to Oakland, California with his family. This move proved to be very beneficial for his family and served as a catalyst for what would be the beginning of a remarkable journey. At an early age, he accepted and professed his faith in God. He knew that God had blessed him with super talents that would later impact the world. James grew up in Oakland, California where he attended the Oakland Public Schools. He was in love with the sport of baseball, and his father, brothers and uncles were also very involved in the sport. He excelled at baseball as Willie Mays was his favorite baseball player of all time. When he attended McClymond’s High School in 1961, he had incredible hand-eye coordination and agreed to join their baseball team. Soon, his speed on the baseball field caught the attention of the track coach and through much persistence he joined the school’s track team. He was undefeated in the 100- and 220-yard dash during his high school career and won the high school State Championship in both events. In 1964 as a Senior in high school, he ran the 100-yard dash in 9.4 seconds to tie a 31-year-old record held by Jesse Owens.
In the fall of 1964, he received a full track scholarship to attend Texas Southern University under the tutelage of Coach Stan Wright. He was a proud member of the famed Texas Southern University’s “Flying Tigers” track team and was known as the “California Flash” on campus. While there, he honed his track skills and forged some lifelong friendships. He and his teammates would go on to represent TSU and the state of Texas by dominating track meets across the country. During the 1966-67 school year, he accomplished the following achievements: 1)Tied the World's record for the 60 yard dash (5.9) three times; Named the Outstanding Athlete at the Border Olympics, the Texas Relays, the Modesto Relays, the Coliseum Relays and was named "Outstanding Performer" in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships as he led his team to the conference title. In 1967, he slowed down long enough to marry his college sweetheart Joyce Loving, and together they produced two children: James Hines and Kimberly Hines.
In June 1968, he became the first person to break 10 seconds in the 100m with a hand timed 9.9 at the AAU Championships. This infamous night was dubbed the “Night of Speed” as nine other stellar athletes joined him in either breaking or tying the world record of ten seconds. His outstanding accomplishments resulted in him being selected as a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team. In the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, he earned his first Olympic gold medal and became the first man to run the 100m under 10 seconds with a world record time of 9.95 seconds. This world record in the 100m would stand for 15 years. In addition, he anchored the United States 400 Meter Relay Team to a victory earning his second Olympic gold medal. In that night, he accomplished the amazing feat of setting an Olympic Record, World Record and becoming the first Olympian to break the 10-second Barrier. He was honored to share the world stage with a legendary 1968 U.S. Olympic Team Family that will always be remembered in the history books for each of their outstanding accomplishments. He received numerous awards, accolades and HOF inductions throughout his track career. Some of his highlighted inductions are as follows: National Track & Field HOF, Bay Area Sports HOF, Texas Sports HOF, Texas Black Sports HOF, Multi-Ethnic HOF and Texas Southern HOF. After his track career, he went on to compete in the National Football League for two years playing both for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. He remains the only person to have played in an NFL regular season game out of 170 sprinters who have broken the 10 second barrier in the 100m over the last 55 years.
Later in life, he committed to serving the community of Oakland, California where he established the Jim Hines Foundation. He enjoyed working with inner-city youth in the Oakland area by encouraging them to be the best in everything they set out to do in life. He had a passion for traveling across the country to inspire rising athletes while simultaneously heightening awareness of Track and Field. James (Jim) Hines ran his final race on June 3, 2023, as he blazed into the gates of Heaven. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings and other family members. He leaves to cherish his beautiful legacy, one son, James Hines (Kathryn); one daughter, Kimberly Anderson (Alfred); two sisters: Camille Sellars and Mamie Ford (Lionel); two grandsons: Jake Hines and Alexander Anderson; two granddaughters: Keira Hines and Kiley Hines. He also leaves behind a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends
Family is asking in lieu of flowers, that donations and contributions be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Oakland:
https://bgcoakland.networkforgood.com/projects/18818-annual-youth-fund
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