James McCormack

James McCormack was born in Durban, South Africa on September 16, 1967 and his family moved to Ireland, the birthplace of James' father, when James was 2 years old. James attended school in Wexford, Ireland and moved to the United States in the early 1990's. James was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also know as Lou Gehrig's Disease) in December 2008 and after a long and courageous battle, passed away Thursday, April 19.

James' love of tennis began at an early age and as a young man he played competitively in Ireland and throughout Europe. James studied coaching and tennis instruction in Melbourne, Australia and upon moving to the Unite States, became a certified United States Tennis Association instructor.

James met the love of his life, Jennifer, on the tennis courts in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. They moved west in October of 2006 and they were married in Jackson, Wyoming on October 4, 2008 and renewed their vows in Wexford, Ireland on November 12th of that same year. James was teaching tennis at Teton Pines Tennis Center in Jackson, Wyoming until being diagnosed with ALS in December of 2008.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS patients, for the most part, maintain their cognitive abilities and all their senses which enable them to maintain quality of life, even in the most confining situations. James fully embraced life throughout the progression of this incurable disease which eventually left him totally paralyzed and unable to speak. He derived great joy in spending time with Jennifer, a most loving and dedicated care giver, their two cats, and watching any and all sporting events in their sun-filled Victor home.

James is survived by his wife, Jennifer McCormack of Victor, Idaho, his mother, Aileen of Wexford, Ireland and siblings John (Merita), Patricia (Robert), Michelle, Michael and Geraldine (Michael). James was preceded in death by his father, Kevin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following:

Muscular Dystrophy Association: The Salt Lake City, Utah office of MDA provides funding for the ALS clinic at the University of Utah's Neurosciences Center as well as tremendous support for ALS patients and their families.

849 West Levoy Drive, Suite 210 Salt Lake City, Utah 84123 (801) 278-6200 www.mda.org

The Institute for Ethno Medicine: This Jackson, Wyoming based research office is making great strides in ALS research. Our hope is to make ALS a thing of the past.

P.O. Box 3464 Jackson, WY 83001 (307) 734-1680 www.ethnomedicine.org

A service will be held, Tuesday, May 8 at 2pm at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in Jackson, Wyoming with a reception to follow at Teton Springs in Victor, Idaho.

A websitehas been set up for James at http://jamesmcormack.webnode.com

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