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L. Oval Jaynes Jr., 85, of Morganton, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 24, 2026. Oval was born on July 25, 1940, to the late Lee Oval Jaynes Sr and Naomi Brandon Jaynes of Morganton N.C. Oval was a member of both the First United Methodist Church of Morganton and Blowing Rock Methodist Church.
After graduating from Morganton High School, Oval attended Appalachian State Teachers College where he received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He later earned a Master of Education Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Oval was a distinguished high school athlete where he earned 11 Varsity letters total in football, basketball, and baseball. Oval attended Appalachian State on a football scholarship where he was a four year letterman in Football and Two year Letterman in baseball. He was named All-Conference and All-State in Football in 1961. In 2008, Oval was inducted into the Burke County Sports Hall of Fame.
L. Oval Jaynes, Jr., was a nationally respected leader in collegiate athletics whose career spanned more than five decades. He spent a lifetime dedicated to higher education, student-athletes, coaching, and athletic administration.
Oval spent more than 20 years in coaching starting at Myers Park High School where he was part of two State Championships as an assistant football coach. His college coaching career included stops at 6 different schools. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Graduate Assistant), The Citadel, Wake Forest University (offensive coordinator), University of South Carolina (associate coach), Gardner-Webb University (head coach, three years), and the University of Wyoming. He was offensive coordinator for the 1970 ACC Champion Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He began his administrative career at Auburn University, serving as Assistant Athletic Director beginning in 1981 before being promoted to Associate Athletic Director in 1984.
Jaynes served as Director of Athletics at Colorado State University (1986-1991), the University of Pittsburgh (1991-1996), the University of Idaho (1996-1998), and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1998-2003). He later returned to collegiate athletics leadership in 2008 as Director of Athletics at Jacksonville State University, where he served until his retirement in 2011.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to collegiate athletics, Jaynes received the General Robert R. Neyland Award for Lifetime Achievement from the All-American Football Foundation in 1999. He later received the Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award and was inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2012. Jaynes also received the Appalachian State University distinguished alumni award in 2014 and special service award from the Appalachian State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Priscilla “Pris” Jaynes, who passed away in June 2024. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Minnie Laura Page.
Jaynes is survived by his sons, Brandon Jaynes (Jennifer), and Lee O. Jaynes III (Susan); grandchildren Evan Jaynes, Emma Jaynes Yao (Nathanial), and Andrew M. Jaynes; along with a wide network of friends, former colleagues, coaches, and student-athletes whose lives were impacted by his mentorship, leadership, and friendship.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 31, 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Morganton and the service will be held at 3 p.m. in the church. For those who cannot attend the service it will be streamed live at youtube.com/@fumcmorganton/streams. A register book will be available to sign in the office at Sossoman Funeral Home until the afternoon of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Morganton NC, the Blowing Rock Methodist Church of Blowing Rock NC or the Appalachian State University Foundation Attn: Advancement Services, P.O Box 32014 Boone NC, 28608-2014. Make checks payable to ASU Foundation. Please put in memory of Oval Jaynes-Football in the memo line. You can also give online at give.appstate.edu.
If you wish to send a card, you can mail it to Jaynes Family, 500 Lenior Rd., Apt. 527, Morganton NC 28655
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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My deepest condolences, and sympathies to the Jaynes family as you grieve the loss of the great man that I knew as "Coach Jaynes." He was at Auburn while I played at Tennessee, and when I began working in Athletic Administration after graduation, Coach Jaynes was extremely helpful in getting me on the right track. Coach was always wonderful to me along my career path. He looked out for me, and was always available when I sought direction, and guidance. There was never any question about his support...it was constant, and consistent. He will be missed greatly by all of us who were fortunate to know him, and I will carry his lessons with me for the rest of my life. Take your rest, Coach.... Charles Davis
Oval was a friend to everyone. He was liked, admired, and respected both personally and professionally.
To the Jaynes family I send my condolences for the loss of your dad and grandfather. I knew Oval and his family from our early days at the North Morganton United Methodist Church. His uncle Forest married my mother’s sister, Hazel. I later got to know Oval when I was a freshman in high school and he was a senior. He was one of only three outstanding senior football players at Morganton High School. In our retirement I got to play golf with him at the Mimosa Hills Golf Club. After our rounds we would see each other in the parking lot and I would listen to him reminiscing about his football days which was, as you know, a huge part of his successful career. RIP, Oval. You were an important person in my life. Peace to each family member.
The Jaynes Family, Lamar and I knew Oval and Pris for a short while when we were on staff at USC. They were a lovely couple who truly lived a football (moving frequently) life as you boys know. They had friends everywhere! My condolences to all-Paula
I always looked up to Oval and wanted to be as good a football player as him and his class. I really enjoyed seeing him when he coached at Wake. We used to see him on our visits to Blowing Rock and always talked football RIP my friend---GO DEACS
Oval was a boyhood friend and we played Little League together back in the early fifties. I hosted him several times here in San Antonio when he would attend Coaches Association events. His accomplishments in sport’s leadership roles from player to Athletic Director are astonishing. I will miss him and the occasional call when we would relive old times in Morganton.
Oval— Was a cherished friend who I am grateful to have been able to call him a life long friend and brother! Now he will be my eternal brother! It is with a smile that I think of Oval and celebrate him for his steadfastness of love for Priscilla, his sons and grandchildren. He was immensely proud of them along with his community. Shine bright my friend— so glad we shared this earthly life together. God Bless You and All That is Yours! Johnny Markas, Jr.
Enjoyed every moment I spent with Mr Jaynes. He always had something interesting to talk about and loved to talk about his football career. I will miss Oval . It was my pleasure to know him and becoming his friend as well as his nurse . My heart and prayers go out to his loving family Sincere, Patricia Davis
Oval was one of the most dedicated persons ever. It was a pleasure meeting many of his national acclaimed friends. A great loss for North Carolina. Loved by many ! Prayers for the Jaynes families.