Joe James of Spur was an All-American tackle at Howard Payne. James earned a football scholarship to West Texas State but transferred to Howard Payne after one year. He was selected as an NAIA All-American at tackle and was a unanimous All-Texas Conference selection his junior and senior years. He also served as team captain his junior and senior years. He was a member of the All-Texas College team as a senior in 1954, when Howard Payne won the Texas Conference. After graduation in 1955, James was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 20th round. He began his coaching career in Hamilton in 1955. A year later he joined the LaVega High School coaching staff as an assistant and became head coach and athletic director. He served in the National Guard from 1952-60 and achieved the rank of master sergeant. James became head coach at Howard Payne in 1964, coaching for four years. During his tenure, he was selected to coach in the Oil Bowl in Wichita Falls. After Howard Payne, he went into the sporting goods business for several companies. He also was a track official and served as the meet referee for the UIL State Track Meet from 1976-2013. He died in 2015.