Dad definitely left his mark on me, but he also left his mark on the game, both on and off the court as a player, coach and ambassador for the game.

• Captain of the 1958 NCAA Champions USC Trojans
• USA Junior Davis Cup Captain coaching players including Stan Smith and Bob Lutz
• One of the founders of the San Fernando Valley Tennis Patrons in 1968 which ran through the early 80s, every Saturday with some of So Cal’s finest juniors rising through the ranks
• Coach of both the Girls and Boys tennis teams at Van Nuys High School for over 30 years
• An active member of the USTA Southern California Board of Directors for over 40 years
• Coach of Team USA for multiple International Competitions including the Italia Cup Championship team in 1987 (Men’s 35s) and World Team Cup (wheelchair tennis)
• Inducted into the USTA Southern California Hall of Fame in 2017 (with my mom Annette — what a team they were!)
• Volunteer Assistant Coach for the USC Women’s team for 12 seasons
• Maze Cup coach for over 15 years
• USTA Southern California and National Family of the Year winners in 1985 (Ralph W. Westcott Award)
• Winner of the USTA Southern California Lifetime Achievement Award
• Brad Parks Award Winner 2010 (for wheelchair tennis)
• Namesake of the Jim Buck Junior Team Tournament (now in its 14th year)
• Nationally and Sectionally ranked from the 35s all the way to the 65s

The list could go on, but I think his greatest accomplishment, and I think a lot of you who knew him would agree, was how he made people feel and how much he cared. His passion for the game and his desire to share that passion is what made him larger than life to so many. His willingness to help others, and share his experience and expertise was unparalleled.

Like I said before, I always knew he was special, but when I first posted about his passing, and the messages started pouring in, I learned just how much he was loved and appreciated by so many in the tennis community. Reading the messages made me laugh and cry at the same time, but most of all they made me feel proud, grateful and lucky — proud to have had this amazing role model who meant so much to so many, lucky to have had such a caring and loving father and grateful to have had so many years with him.

Here are just a few of the wonderfully thoughtful messages I received:

“Jim Buck was a terrific man, we are all better to have known him.”
– Mitch Bridge, Southern California Tennis Academy

“One of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to call my friend.”
– Dan James, former USTA National Director of Wheelchair Tennis

“As a young Pro in Orange County, Jim was someone I looked up to. He was a pro’s pro, genuine, thoughtful and always willing to help.”
– Butch Young, Tennis Industry Professional

“Jim was larger than life and touched so many. I have great memories of him.”
– Marianne Werdel Merson, USTA Southern California Board Member

“A true Gentleman of grace, humility, character, talent, humor, compassion and wisdom. We will never forget the first time we met him, or the last time we saw him.”
– Bob Kramer, USTA Southern California Hall of Famer

“Loved him as so many thousands of us did.”
– Bob Phaender, Tennis Industry Professional

“Jim spent his whole life volunteering and giving back to tennis, one of tennis’ greatest ambassadors.”
– Bob Hochstadter, USTA Southern California President

“A wonderful man and an absolute legend in SoCal tennis.”
– Billy McQuaid, Palisades Tennis Club

It is tough to imagine a life without him, but I know he lives on in my heart and the hearts of so many others, and I’m sure he’s found a nice grass court up in heaven to hit some of his favorite American Twist serves and then sit on a deck enjoying a sunset and a shandy.

Please join us on March 26th from 2-4pm at the Marguerite Tennis Pavilion (27474 Casta del Sol, Mission Viejo, CA) where will celebrate the life of a tennis legend, share more stories, visit with old friends and colleagues and find joy in our memories of Jim Buck.