Name of Deceased:  Dr. Timothy Joseph Autry, Jr.

Age:  81

Address:  821 Tulip Lane, Orangeburg, SC

Date of Death:  February 20, 2019

Circumstances:  passed away at the Medical University of South Carolina (Ashley Towers), Charleston, SC

Funeral Information:

Time:  12:00 noon

Place: Trinity United Methodist Church, Orangeburg, SC

Date:  Saturday, March 2, 2019

Entombment will be held at Belleville Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg, SC, with full military honors.

Dr. Autry will be placed in the church one hour before the service.

Officiating Ministers:  Rev. Mack C. McClam, Rev. Larry D. McCutcheon, Rev. George F. Manigo, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Ernest C. Etheridge

Dr. Autry player, coach, and sports ambassador passed away peacefully, Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at MUSC Ashley Rivers Towers, Charleston, South Carolina.  He was born on December 5, 1937, in Wilson, North Carolina to the late Timothy Autry Sr. and Mamie Hill Autry.  He was the third (only son) of four children.

At an early age, he joined St. John AME Zion Church in Wilson, North Carolina. After moving to Orangeburg, South Carolina he joined Trinity United Methodist Church. He was a faithful member where he served as a Lay Leader for 31 years and was on the Administrative Board. He was a loyal member of the United Methodist Men and Sunday School.

Dr. Autry attended C.H. Darden High School in Wilson, North Carolina, where he lettered in football and basketball for three years. After graduating from high school in 1955, Tim enlisted in the United States Air Force and played basketball and football throughout "The Far East." In 1959, Tim matriculated to Winston Salem State University (Winston Salem Teachers College) on a football and basketball scholarship. During his four years at Winston Salem State University (WSSU) he lettered in basketball and football under the legendary Coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines. He graduated from WSSU in 1963. Tim earned his Master's Degree from South Carolina State University in 1975 and his Doctorate of Education Degree from International Graduate School, St. Louis, Missouri.

From 1973 until 1980, Dr. Autry coached the men's basketball team at South Carolina State University. He was employed at Voorhees College for 16 years as Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Executive Vice President. He served as commissioner for the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1985 to 1995. In 1996, he was named Director of Athletics at South Carolina State University and was inducted into the SCSU Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2005, he accepted the positon of Athletics Director at Claflin University where he served until 2012.

He leaves to cherish fond memories, his devoted wife of 55 years, Shirley Jean Langston Autry, of the home; three sisters, Dolores A. Brathwaite and Dorothy A. Higgs of Wilson, North Carolina and Peggy A. Snell of Marietta, Georgia; aunt, Mertin Hill of New York, New York; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Viewing for the public will held on Friday, March 1, 2019 from 12:00 noon -5:00pm at the funeral home.

The family will greet friends from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Friday, March 1st, at Trinity United Methodist Church.  Memorial services will be conducted by members of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Restoration Project, C/O Shirley Autry, 821 Tulip Lane, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115

Friends may call the residence and at the funeral Home.

Sacred arrangements are entrusted to Dash's Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be submitted to www.dashsfh.com.