James (Jim) R. LoVullo, 71, formerly of Salina, passed away on June 26, 2024 surrounded by family.

Coach LoVullo was born on October 26, 1952 in Buffalo, New York.

After graduating from Bishop Turner High School in 1970, LoVullo made the cross-country move to Salina to attend Kansas Wesleyan University. He was a three-year letterman in football, playing offensive guard on scholarship for Coach Gene Bissell. During his college years at KWU, Jim met his future wife, Marcia (Vanover), when she gave him a ride after his hand-painted 1970 Mercury “Bertha” ran out of gas. He graduated from Kansas Wesleyan in 1974 and that same summer, married Marcia. They went on to raise their two daughters, Jamie and Morgan, in Salina. Jim was a devoted dad who spent countless hours/days/weeks/years playing catch, hitting tennis balls, shooting hoops, watching and coaching their games/matches, and attending dance recitals (sometimes inadvertently recording someone else’s child). He instilled confidence, provided encouragement, and empowered their independence. He taught them a growth mindset before it even had a name.

Over the span of 40 years, Jim taught English language arts and physical education and coached six sports (tennis, softball, football, basketball, track, swimming) across four different schools (Sacred Heart, Roosevelt-Lincoln, Salina Central, and Lakewood Middle School). His coaching highlights included winning seven state tennis titles at Salina Central, a sport which he and his college buddies taught themselves how to play “just for fun” one summer. Over the years, Jim was well-recognized for his coaching achievements. He was named Kansas Coaches Association Girls Tennis Coach of the Year twice, Midwest Section Coach of the Year, and KCA’s Boys Tennis Coach of the Year. He was also inducted into the Salina Central Hall of Fame, The Kansas Wesleyan Hall of Fame and the Kansas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. Although wonderful achievements and honors, none of them were as important as the mentorships and friendships that he created with his students, athletes and colleagues.

Seven years ago, Jim and Marcia moved to Missouri to be closer to their grandkids. “Grampy” was the quintessential hands-on grandpa to Marleigh and Brecken – fostering a love of learning and creativity through their adventures together. Favorite activities included puzzles, trivia, scavenger hunts, going for ice cream, and playing sports including, of course, a plethora of Grampy invented games (alá Vullo Ball).

Jim (Dad/Grampy/Coach/LoVullo/Jimmy/JR/Jimbo/The Italian Stallion) will be remembered by his family, friends, former students, and former athletes as a charismatic, loving, and quick-witted guy who was always generous with both his time and attention. As one former student so beautifully stated, “Coach LoVullo always brought the joy.”

Jim was preceded in death by his father Sam J. LoVullo, his wife Marcia LoVullo, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Clifton “Van” and Florence Vanover, and his brothers-in-law Kevin Noonan and Bruce Gostomski. He is survived by his daughters Jamie (Dennis) LoCastro and Morgan LoVullo, his grandchildren Marleigh and Brecken LoCastro, his mother Florence LoVullo, his brothers Sam LoVullo, Michael LoVullo, and Thomas LoVullo (Rachel), his sisters Maribeth LoVullo, Lynnmarie Alafnourian, and Tinamarie Gostomski, his sister-in-law Becky Noonan, as well as his beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held at Saint Amelia Church in Tonawanda, NY at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 5th.

Following a private inurnment at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, a celebration of life will be held in August in Salina, KS. Details to follow in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Greater Salina Community Foundation in honor of the LoVullo family.