James MohneyJames D. Mohney was born March 1, 1925 in Clearfield, Pa. It was there he launched his decades-long career in wrestling as a competitor and coach. At Clearfield High School in north-central Pennsylvania, Mohney wrestled for legendary head coach Art Weiss, where he was a two-time District champion and twice a state champ, winning the 85-pound crown at the 1941 and 1942 PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) state finals.
In an interview four years ago with WeAreCentralPa.com, the then-88-year-old Mohney recounted his come-from-behind victory to grab his first state title.
"I had nine seconds to go and I was two points behind," Mohney recalled. "And I got my favorite takedown. And we went into overtime. I just was able to dominate those two periods."
Mohney compiled a 31-3 record as a Bison. He graduated from Clearfield in 1942.
During World War II, Mohney served with the US Army Air Corps, completing 35 combat missions in the South Pacific as an Engineer Gunner.
At the end of the war, Mohney then enrolled at Penn State. As a Nittany Lion, he won an EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) conference title in 1947, and qualified for the 1947 NCAA championships. He also wrestled at numerous AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and YMCA events. Mohney graduated from Penn State in 1950.
Mohney began his teaching career in Pennsylvania at Tyrone High School where he also served as the wrestling coach. After nine years, he moved to Long Branch, NJ where he taught for 19 years. At Long Branch, he started the wrestling program and was admitted to the NJ Shore Conference Coaching Hall of Fame. Mohney then moved back to Clearfield and was a teacher and became Vice Principal at Clearfield High School until his retirement in 1987. Throughout his coaching career, Mohney also served as a wrestling official for twenty-five years on both the high school and collegiate levels.
Mohney has been welcomed into a number of Halls of Fame. He was admitted to the Clearfield Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame along with being a member of the Pa. Coaching Hall of Fame, Pa. District 9 Coaching Hall of Fame, Tyrone Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Penn State University Hall of Fame.
Mohney is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Betty Lou; four children; eleven grandchildren; and fifteen great grandchildren, as well as a brother and a sister.
Visitation will take place at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home in Clearfield on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. with the funeral service taking place at 3 p.m. with Mr. Gary V. Mohney, son, officiating. Interment will be in the Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde at a later date, to be determined by the immediate family.
Military honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the Honor Guard detail from Andrews Air Force Base.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Clearfield Wrestling Club, PO Box 30, Clearfield, PA 16830.
To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.
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