The Kamloops sports community has lost a mentor and an icon.

Jack Buckham has passed away at the age of 78 after an accident while farming near the city. A 2007 inductee into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame, Buckham was the Athletic Director at South Kam Secondary, formerly Kam High, for 22-years.

He led KSS to six provincial basketball appearances but also coached football, rugby, track and field, tennis, and volleyball – often with his late wife Diane as his assistant coach.

Buckham also chaired the 1992 Canadian Junior Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in Kamloops and was the longtime coordinator of the Provincial “AA” Championships hosted in Kamloops.

He was also named Kamloops Sports Person of the Year in 2000.

Coaching colleague at South Kam Brian Olthuis remembers Jack as his first coaching mentor.

“He was stern but he knew his stuff… so many different sports,” Olthius told NL Sports. “He knew how to deal with kids. He did that very, very well.”

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian took to social media today to pay his respects.

“Truly a basketball builder and a Kamloops promoter,” Christian said. “RIP Jack.”

Longtime TRU Athletic Director Ken Olynyk knew Jack for 50 years. He tells NL Sports that Buckham’s passing is a significant loss.

“He was an icon in this community. He really helped bring basketball to the forefront. He was a leader. He was so involved in the AA Championships that we hosted here. He was just a giving person,” Olynyk said.

“It’s always too soon. May he rest in peace.”

South Kam basketball coach Del Komarniski played for Buckham as a high school athlete. He was shocked to hear the news of the sudden passing.

“You don’t expect that news first thing in the morning,” Komarniski said today when reached by NL Sports. “I was very excited about being a part of the basketball program and being one of Jack’s players.”

“He was passionate and intense but he was fair. He had very high expectations for his athletes.  I’ve learned to make our experience as big as we can make it for my teams. Jack never mailed-in efforts with us he gave us all he had. That’s one thing I’ve taken away from Jack.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.