Paoli Community Mourning Death Of Educator, Administrator James Babcock

Last updated on Monday, July 13, 2015

(PAOLI) - The Paoli community is mourning the death of longtime educator and administrator James A. Babcock, who died Sunday following a brief illness.

Babcock began teaching at Paoli High School in 1963 and served as a counselor, assistant principal and athletic director before becoming high school principal in 1974. He retired from the principal's post in 1997.

He service in the U.S. Army in Alaska from 160-63 and was Company Commander from 1966-67.

Professional Organizations and Activities:

President, Southeastern Indiana Personnel and Guidance Association 1968-69
President, Southern Hills Mental Health Center Inc., 1967-69
President, Paoli Alumni Association, 1970-71
National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1974-1997
Indiana Association of School Principals, 1974-1997
President, Leadership Orange County, 1993-94
Graduate, Indiana Principal's LeadershipAcademy, 1991
IHSAA Board of Directors, 1991-1997
President, IHSAA Board of Directors, 1992-93
Chairman, IHSAA Executive Committee, 1996-97
Bloomington Hospital of Orange County Board of Directors, 2001-2009
Chairman of the Board, 2004-2006

Awards/Recognitions:

James A. Babcock Mental Attitude Award presented to Paoli High School Varsity and JV Boys' Basketball player Each year, initiated, 1991
Sagamore of the Wabash Award, 1997
Indiana Music Educators Association Outstanding Principal of the Year, 1997
Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Association,
Distinguished Service Award, District V, 1997
Paoli Community Board of School Trustees, Outstanding Service Award, 1974-1997
Paoli High School FFA Chapter Outstanding Service Award, 1997
Orange County Community Foundation Male Philanthropist of the Year Award, 2009
Times Mail Hometown Hero, 2014

He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Wesemann) Babcock (57 years); children Tim (Glenda) Babcock of Bowling Green, KY; Jon (Lea Anne) Babcock of Danville,IN;Amy (Rob) Haworth of Elkhart, IN; grandchildren Brian (Amanda) Babcock, Whitney (Preston) King, Chelsea (JP) Flores, Shelby Babcock, Olivia Haworth and Eric Haworth; Great grandchildren Briella Rae Flores Brothers Don (Elizabeth) Babcock of Louisville, KY; Rex (Ann) Babcock of Paoli; Danny "Buck" (Debbie) Babcock of Paoli

Preceded in death by his parents Arthur & Ruth (Claxton) Babcock; grandchildren Paul, Catherine & Samuel Haworth

Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. and Wednesday, from 9 a.m. until the time of service in the Paoli High School gymnasium. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the gymnasium at Paoli High School. The gym's floor was named in Babcock's honor in January 2013.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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