Jim Morton Sr. †
Inducted 2019
Hometown: San Antonio
High School: Fox Tech High School
Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps
Best Known for: Coaching – Football
b. May 22, 1931
Morton played high school football at Fox Tech High School in San Antonio and was a U.S. Marine for 20 years. His experiences in the military enabled him to become a legendary Valley coach.
Morton was the two-time winner of the Purple Heart started his local football coaching career in 1969 at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen. He compiled a 137-119 record in football over 25 seasons and also held the post of athletic director, coaching three sports. His 137 career victories rank among the top 10 in Rio Grande Valley history. In 1974, MMA advanced to the TCIL state championship game. In 1977, the Leathernecks captured the TAPPS championship of Texas that eluded them three years earlier.
Many of Morton's players attended one of the major service academies and others received Division I scholarships. Among them was Dale Hellestrae, who played at SMU and then in the NFL with Dallas. Three of his sons later became coaches in the Valley, and the Morton family remains a legendary group.
