A Tribute To James Buck
1924 - 2007
Over the years many of us involved with fastball have been fortunate to have crossed paths with Jim Buck. Jim and his traveling buddies, Gus Takacs and Winston Botting were fixtures in many fastball parks throughout
I was lucky enough to meet Jim in Simcoe in 1978 and we’ve been fastball buddies ever since. I, like many other players from the Haldimand Norfolk area, past and present, are really going to miss him. Jim was a great family man and his conversations always started with questions about your family and ended with “God Bless”. A veteran of World War II, Jim went on to serve overseas with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry ,the United Nations in
His home was full of ball jackets, programs, sweaters and hats given to him by players who just wanted to say thanks for his support. When we would get together for coffee Jim might have shown up in a Broken Bow jacket given to him by Rob Schweyer and a Waterloo Twins hat from Larry Lynch. Anotherday it was an I.S.C. hat sent to him by Milt Stark, a Rockford Yins jacket and an A.S.A. T-shirt. He was a huge supporter of the local Rockford Yins and served on their Executive for many years. I.S.C. Hall Of Famer Larry Lynch, Jeff Spencer and Chuck Hendricks were some of his favourite players. In his later years of failing health, Jim could no longer comeout to the ball park but he never lost his love for the game. He would always call for updates about who was playing where and who were the “upand comers”.
I was lucky to call Jim my friend; his voice will be greatlymissed.
God Bless You Jim.
George Ryder
gjryder@kwic.com