July 11, 1936 ~ Feb. 6, 2022
The family of James Kenneth Amick (Coach A), sadly announces his passing on Feb. 6, 2022, at his home in Yuma, Arizona. He was born July 11, 1936, in Hobbs, New Mexico, to Mabel and Preston Amick.
Jim grew up in Meeker, Colorado, where he was a first-team, All-State athlete in both basketball and football. He met Diann Mencimer, the love of his life, in 1952 while in Denver for the state basketball tournament. They married on Sept. 19, 1953, together creating a family of five boys.
In 1958 Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in English and Science at Colorado State College, which is now the University of Northern Colorado. He earned his Master of Arts in education on May 28, 1971, at Northern Arizona University.
Jim began his basketball coaching career in Fowler, Colorado, as head basketball coach for Fowler High School from 1958-1961, where he also coached football and track. From 1961-1963 he was the head basketball coach at Burlington High School, in Burlington, Colorado. From 1964-1968 Jim worked for the University of Colorado under a civil defense contract traveling around the state facilitating nuclear bombing survival skills for local government officials.
In 1968 Jim moved his young family to Yuma, Arizona, where he was the head basketball coach for Kofa High School, also teaching general science and biology. He coached at Kofa High School from 1968-1972 before taking the assistant basketball coach position at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona. Moving on to West Virginia University as associate head basketball coach from 1974-1978, his young family of five boys were now teenagers and young adults.
In 1978, Jim, Diann and their two youngest sons returned to Yuma as Jim took the Arizona Western College head basketball coaching position which he held through 1990. After retirement in 1990, he returned as the interim head coach for an additional year during the 1996-97 season. Jim completed his basketball coaching career as head coach emeritus from 1999 to 2017. He continued to counsel, sharing his vast knowledge and experience through the remainder of his life.
Jim has received many accolades over the years to include the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region I Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, the Leon Blevins Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Basketball Coach of the Year, and in 2017 was inducted into the ACCAC Hall of Fame. Jim cared about his players, not only wanting them to play their best, but to truly become their best selves in life.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife Diann, eldest son James Edward, and parents Mabel and Preston Amick. He is survived by sons Brent (Bonnie), Kendal, Shawn (Jody) and Bradley (Jamye); 11 grandchildren Cassidy, Bradley (Addie), Austin, Jordan, Kelsey, Matthew, Kenny, Brian (Gabriela), Dustin, Sarah and Quinn; and three great-grandchildren Paxton, Charlotte and Bennett.
Jim was quite charming and charismatic, a great storyteller with impeccable timing, and most importantly, an amazing dad, papa, and friend to all. He is greatly missed.
Funeral services took place on Feb. 25, 2022, in Yuma, Arizona
