James Albert "Jimmie" Dallas Sr. | |
Birth Date: | December 19, 1917 |
Birth Place: | Monticello, Florida, United States |
Death Place: | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |
Other Names: | Jimmie Dallas |
Alma Mater: | Florida A&M University Howard University |
Spouse: | Margie Sweet Dallas |
James A. Dallas Sr. (December 19, 1917 – April 9, 2004) was an American educator, entrepreneur, musical patron and civic leader from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[1] [2] He was the first African-American man to have a street in downtown Fort Lauderdale named in his honor.[3]
James Albert Dallas was born in Monticello, Florida, on December 19, 1917, to Albert and Florida Dallas.[1] His parents died before he was 12 years old.[1]
He graduated from Florida A&M University in 1942, where he played trombone in the university's marching, concert and jazz bands.[1] Dallas entered Howard University's pharmacy program later that year.[1] He was drafted into the United States Army ten days after his admittance into Howard University.[1] He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.[4]
He was assigned to Pacific Ocean Operations, and served as First Sergeant of the 24th Infantry Division in Okinawa, Japan. He served a total of four years from 1942 to 1946.[5]
Dallas began teaching at Dorsey High School in Miami, Florida, following his separation from the Army.[1] He taught English and public speaking.[1] Dallas retired from teaching in 1982 after 36 years teaching in Miami Dade County and Broward County.[1]
Dallas's business ventures included two nightclubs: O'Dell's Lounge and Grill and The Big Savoy, which served black and white patrons in segregated Fort Lauderdale.[1] [6] Musicians who played at Dallas' clubs include Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Brantly, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, and Lionel Hampton.[3] The Dillard Historical Museum has recognized Dallas for his contributions to Fort Lauderdale culture and entertainment.[3]
His entrepreneurial activities also included owned a grocery store and pest control business.[2] [3]
Dallas was a charter member and former leader of the Fort Lauderdale Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and founding member of the Young Men's Progressive Association.[1] He served as leader of the Pride of Fort Lauderdale chapter of the Elks Lodge.[3] He was also active in the NAACP.[3]
Dallas is also credited with recruiting some to Fort Lauderdale some of the city's most notable African-American leaders, including the first black doctor to serve at Broward General Medical Center, Dr. Calvin H. Shirley, and the city's first black attorney, T.J. Reddick.[1] [3] Dallas also served as an adviser to congressman and former federal judge Alcee Hastings.[3]
The Fort Lauderdale City Commissioners unanimously voted to dedicate a portion of 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale as the "James A Dallas Sr. Street" in honor of Dallas in December 2004.[2] [3] James A. Dallas Sr. Street was the first street in downtown Fort Lauderdale named in honor of an African-American man.[2] [3] The Mayor of Fort Lauderdale also proclaimed December 4, 2004, James A. Dallas Day.
Dallas married educator Margie Sweet Dallas in 1950.[1] They remained married until her death in 1987.[3] The couple's three children are attorney Ronald K. Dallas, James A. Dallas ll, P.T. and Michele A. Dallas, DDS.[3]