KAMLOOPS — An icon and leader in the Kamloops education and sports community has passed away.
Jack Buckham died on Wednesday at his home on East Shuswap Road.
Jack Buckham was a longtime educator, coach, mentor and volunteer.
A teacher at Valleyview and later Kam High, where he also served as the high schools athletic director.
“I first met Jack in 1969.” says former Kam High Principal Gordon Lloyd. “I was principal at Valleyview Secondary, Jack was on staff — his second year of teaching — we worked together from that time up until I retired in 1995. Jack was a spirit maker. Not just in the athletic departement, but the whole school.”
With his leadership as the teams head coach, Jack Buckham took the Kam High Red Devils 1974 boys basketball team to the provincial final.
Homer Hamm played junior basketball for Jack Buckham at Valleyview and was one of the star players on the 1974 Red Devils.
“Jack was a visionary.” says Homer Hamm. “He told us then, in 1969, in five years or less we would compete for a provincial basketball title.”
From student athlete Homer Hamm would later coach with Jack, work alongside him in organizing tournaments and basketball championships in Kamloops and they became lifelong friends.
“He impacted a tremendous number of people as an educator, as a coach, as a mentor. It was my great good fortune to be in that time period and have that opportunity to play for and coach with Jack.”
Already long retired from teaching and coaching, it was a proud moment for Jack Buckham in 2018 when both the South Kam Titans boys and girls basketball teams came home with provincial championships.
“Going down and watching those teams play was just the highlight of my life.” said Buckham at that April, 2018 ceremony. “It made me feel so proud and so thrilled at what they were able to do.”
Jack Buckham was inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and then in 2018 with the 1974 Kam High boys basketball team.
He was predeceased by his wife Dianne in 2015..
Jack Buckham is survived by sons Bradley and Aaron, and many friends.
undefined
