Bruce Wellington James

Bruce Wellington James

Bruce Wellington James graduated college in Marshall, TX with a 4.0 GPA with a double major in Math and Science.

Mr. James was a veteran and served his country proudly in the Korean Conflict. After that, he was a professional basketball player for the Court Jesters in Portland, OR.

Mr. James served as the Principal of Purcell Booker T. Washington School and when Purcell began integration in 1955, Purcell High School was integrated but not the Booker T. Washington Elementary School.

Mr. James, who was now serving as the Booker T. Washington Elementary Principal, was asked by legendary Purcell Basketball Coach Boney Matthews to be an Assistant Coach for him and to help with the integration of the PHS Basketball Team. Mr. James accepted that offer.

In that capacity, Coach Bruce Wellington James became Purcell High School’s first African American Coach, and we honor him for that feat.