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Former Yellow Jackets football star Dumm dies at 76

By John Sacco 4 min read

It seemed Jim Dumm became friends with everyone he met.

He was a man you wanted to learn from, hang out with and care about.

Dumm had a personality and persona that was genuine and infectious. Once you knew him, you loved him. And he loved you back.

He was easy to talk with, share your faith with, laugh with and cry with.

Jim Dumm, 76, of Charleroi, touched your heart and reached your soul.

The former All-American football player, committed coach and beloved teacher died on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 11 with his family surrounding him.

He had struggled with health issues for some time. Dumm faced it all with a smile on his face.

One of his friends suggested he “sprinted to the Pearly Gates” while others are grieving.

“If you ran into him or talked to him during the day, your day was better for it,” said longtime friend Steve DeFelices. “If you spent any amount of time with him, you were better for it.

“I didn’t know anyone like him. He never stopped helping. He was unstoppable.”

He is survived by his wife, Marian, sons Jeff (Carrie) and Jared (Anne); four grandchildren, along with countless friends, colleagues, admirers and players. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lauren Elizabeth; a sister and a brother.

Dumm, a Norwin High School graduate, always said and believed: “The world would be a better place if people told one another they loved each other more often.”

Dumm taught in the Elizabeth Forward School District for 34 years and was most proud of his EF “Special Educator” recognition by the EF Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame in 2021.

He played football at Youngstown State and finished at Waynesburg College where he was a three-year starter from 1970-72. The versatile Dumm played defensive end and defensive tackle and then during his senior year when he was a team captain he was moved to middle linebacker.

Dumm led Waynesburg in tackles his junior and senior seasons. He was named to the All-District team from 1970-72 and to the AP All-State third team in 1970. Dumm was named the Yellow Jackets’ MVP in 1972 and also earned NAIA District 18 first-team honors that same year.

Dumm was a multi-sport star at Waynesburg, also earning letters in baseball, as a starting pitcher, and track & field as a thrower and just missed qualifying for nationals in the shot put.

Dumm briefly played for the NFL’s Baltimore Colts and the Chicago Fire of the World Football League. He coached for more than 35 years with stints at California, Elizabeth Forward, Ringgold, Clairton and Charleroi. He spent a season as offensive line coach at Waynesburg College.

Dumm was chosen as Century Conference Coach of the Year in 1998 — leading the Cougars to a conference title — and is a member of the Tri-County Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame (2022).

“He was a loyal friend,” said Tim Bukowski, current head football coach at Southmoreland, “a true friend. He was amazing.”

Said George Messich, longtime head football coach at Mapletown: “We met in 1978. He would call me every Friday to wish me good luck. Jim was a kind and caring man. I’ll miss his calls.”

“He was a supporter, friend and helper to many people,” said Brady Barbero, who coached with Dumm at California.

Dumm’s sincerity was only surpassed by his compassion for others.

“I am so proud of my father,” Jared Dumm said. “Even when he struggled with his health and knees, he made a point to get to church (Presbyterian Church of Charleroi) every Sunday.

“I’m crushed,” Jeff Dumm said. “My father was larger than life. He was so kind to so many. He put everything and everyone before himself.”

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