James Jeffress

James A. Jeffress A1915 was born in Henderson, North Carolina on August 28, 1892. His family relocated to West Medford when he was young, and he attended school there. After his graduation from Medford High, he went on to receive his B.A. degree from Tufts University as part of the 1915 class. In 1950, he earned his Masters in Education from the University of Kansas, and two years later his Specialist in Education degree.

After his graduation, Jeffress moved to Missouri, where he became a mathematics teacher, and later chairman of the math department, at Lincoln High School in Kansas City. He returned to Lincoln High School after military service in World War I, and spent the rest of his career there. Before retiring, Jeffress was part of the YMCA, was a third-term state commander of the Dept. of Missouri American Legion, a district commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, and a junior president of the NAACP. He was also a member of the Beta Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and was awarded “Man of the Year” in 1956 for this commitment to the brotherhood. Jeffress was also a 32nd degree Mason.

Biography written and researched by Alejandra Garcia.

Vertical File Collection. Vertical files, J. Jeffress, James A. 1915. UA073.010.VF.00064. Tufts University. Tufts Archival Research Center. Medford, MA.