Jack Ronald Hissom
February 10, 1933 - November 25, 2020
Jack Ronald Hissom, 87, husband of Laura Frances “Lolly” Hissom, died on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at his home in Richmond.
Hissom, who was selected as a member of the 2020 EKU Athletics Hall of Fame class was involved in Eastern athletics for 12 seasons in two different sports. He was also a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lee’s Junior College in Jackson, Ky. and the Kentucky High School 12th Region.
He started his EKU career in 1967, serving the men's basketball team as assistant coach while also serving as the team's freshman coach. As one of head coach Guy Strong's two assistant coaches, he was personally responsible for recruiting some of the current EKU Hall of Fame basketball inductees. During his tenure as Eastern's freshman team coach, Hissom compiled a six-year record of 67-41. This stint was highlighted by the 1968-69 Colonel frosh team that went 12-6 and averaged more than 90 points per game.
In 1972, Hissom switched sports and was named EKU's head baseball coach. In eight seasons, the Colonel baseball teams went 122-116-8 and won two Ohio Valley Conference Eastern Division titles. His 1978 squad finished 13th in the nation with a .328 team batting average.
Born on February 10, 1933 in Syracuse, New York, he was the son of the late James R. and Myrtle Lockhart Hissom. Jack was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served as a staff sergeant during the Korean War. He served as a head coach at every level from grade school to university. He coached a high school team to the state championship game.
He enjoyed deer hunting, something he did from the age of 12 until the time of his death. Jack was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond.
Due to Covid restrictions there will be a private family service officiated by Rev. Curtis Christian. The family will receive guests on Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at a drive-through visitation on the carport of Oldham, Roberts & Powell Funeral Home. Guests are asked to remain inside their cars as they pay their respects to Jack and say hello to his wife Lolly and family.
The funeral service will be available for viewing through Zoom at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. Burial will be in the Richmond Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 165, Richmond, KY 40476, or to the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2064, Richmond, KY 40476.