Jim LaLanne, former UNC star, dies
James Francis (Jim) Lalanne, Carolina football star of the late 1930s, died Thursday at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital. He was 66.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with burial in Westminster Gardens.
Lalanne, a native of Lake Charles, La., and retired founder and chairman of the Triangle Brick Co. in Durham, was once called by his Tar Heel coach, Ray (Bear) Wolf, the finest back he ever coached. He still ranks as the 15th best passer in Carolina football history and ranks 16th in career total offense.
Nicknamed "Sweet Lalanne" after the popular song of the era, he was selected All-Southern and honorable mention All-American in 1940 and was recipient of the E. Carrington Smith award as the Tar Heels' most valuable player (voted by teammates).
Lalanne helped develop the Education Foundation that underwrites UNC-CH athletic scholarships. Also, he was a World War II Navy veteran and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander.
Surviving are wife, Mrs. Shirley Dunklee Perrin Lalanne Jr. of Ormond Beach, Fla.; daughter, Mrs. Barbara Smith of Greenville; stepdaughter, Miss Shirley Perrin of Bethesda, Md.; stepsons, Robert Perrin Jr. of Lake Tahoe, Calif., William Perrin of Greensboro, John Perrin of Richmond, Va., five grandchildren.
The family will be at the home, 29-C Fountain Manor Drive.
Memorials amy be made to the American Cancer Society Research Fund or the UNC-CH Educational Foundation.
Hanes-Lineberry North Elm Street Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.