| If you have had anything to do with Henry County athletics over
the last half century, then you probably already know all about David Loudy. Loudy has been a sports fixture in various roles in Henry County since 1949 and because of his long years of service, he has been chosen to receive the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award.
After spending 3-1/2 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he returned to attend college at East Tennessee State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later got his master’s from Murray State University. He came to Paris in 1949 as a coach and teacher for the Paris Special School District. He would teach at Lee, Atkins-Porter and Grove Junior High schools. Loudy was a basketball and football coach at Atkins-Porter and served on Bobby Jelk’s staff at Grove High School in 1949-50. During the summers, Loudy worked at Ogburn Park and later served as Paris Parks and Recreation director at the time McNeill Park was built. He helped organize Little League, Babe Ruth League and Biddy Basketball programs in Paris. He retired from the park system in 1985. Lousy was a TSSAA basketball official for 25 years and a football official for more than 45 years. An avid tennis player who competed locally in both singles and doubles, Loudy was the city bowling champion in 1961. He is still active as a participant in the Tennessee Senior Games. In the Senior Games, Loudy has won 79 medals in district and state competition in horseshoes, basketball free throw, table tennis, shot put, discus, javelin, golf and archery. He serves as a Tennessee Senior Games ambassador for Henry County to help promote the Senior Games. Outside of athletics, Loudy served as a teacher evaluator for the State Department of Education for the year 1984-85. He retired from teaching in 1986. He served as Cubmaster for Pack 26 and Scoutmaster for troop 26 of Boy Scouts of America, both formerly of Paris. Loudy attends First Baptist Church where he has taught Sunday school and has been the Sunday school director. His hobbies include collecting coins, logo golf balls and playing golf. He and his wife Margaret have been married for 55 years. Their son Dan and his wife Mindy, have a son, Grant and they live in Eldorado, Illinois. |
Loudy grew up in Johnson City where
he attended North Side Elementary, Johnson City Junior High and Science Hill High Schools.
In high school, he lettered in football, baseball and tennis.
