Jim Bateman, former head football coach of the Denton Broncos, died Wednesday evening after a lengthy battle with leukemia.

Jim Bateman

Bateman, 67, first came to Denton High in 1976 as an assistant coach under then head coach Bill Shipman. In 1978 he took over as head coach of the Broncos and remained in that position until he retired in 1994.

Bateman built Denton High School into a perennial football power, making the playoffs on several occasions. He retired in 1994 as one of the most successful coaches in school history.

Bateman began his coaching career at Knox City In 1963 and then moved on to Breckenridge in 1965. In 1969 he moved to Wheeler and coached there until 1974 when he moved to Uvalde.

His career record as a head coach was 130-80-5.  Bateman led the Broncos into the state playoffs seven times, six consecutive from 1982-87.  From 1985 to 1988, the Broncos went undefeated in 24 consecutive regular season games.  He built a 109-62-4 record as head coach of the Denton Broncos during his 16-year tenure.

Bateman was chosen District Coach of the Year four times and Area Coach of the Year five times.  He was one of the coaches of the Oil Bowl All-Star Game in 1984.  Bateman also served as 5A committeeman of the North All-Star selection committee in 1987 and as chairman of the committee in 1988.

Bateman is preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Dusty.  Survivors include his wife, Patsy, of 50 years; three sons, Mark and his wife Kim; Mike and his wife Donna; and Matt; five grandchildren, Vanessa Deering and husband Will, Mandi and Brian, Bo and Chelsea, Lyndie, and Mitchell; two great grandchildren, Michael and Kaylee Deering; two brothers, Charlie and his wife Karen, Terry and his wife Liz; sister, Sue Fletcher and husband Johnny; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.  The family will receive friends Friday, March 28^th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at DeBerry Funeral Home, Denton.  Following the Denton services, graveside services will be held at The Bateman Ranch private cemetery in King County at 6:00 pm with Derrell Marion officiating.