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DENOON, James Johnson, passed away on June 30, 2017. Known as "Spoon" to his close friends and "Jim" to those he met in the tennis business, he was a well-known and well-loved tennis player, teaching professional, official and promoter of the game. He was predeceased by his parents, Rosa and Daniel Denoon; and his brother, Albert Denoon. He is survived by his wife, Delanie Watson; his sons, Samuel and Sydney Denoon; and his cousin, William S. Hopson IV. Jim was born on August 1, 1946, in Manhattan, New York. He moved to Richmond in the spring of 1954 at the age of seven. Jim was fond of the outdoors and took part in sports programs at Byrd Park, Humphrey-Calder and First Baptist Church. In 1959, he had a chance encounter with Sam Woods, the tennis coach at Thomas Jefferson High School. This encounter would come to affect the rest of Jim's life. After attending Virginia Episcopal School, Jim went on to graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1964. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of South Carolina on a full-ride tennis scholarship. The South Carolina team had a win-loss record of 67-6, became undefeated ACC champions in 1968 and ranked #9 in the NCAA. After graduation from USC in 1968, Jim briefly attended law school before his love of tennis drew him away from the classroom and back outdoors. During his tennis career, Jim was the director of tennis at Coldstream Country Club in Irmo, South Carolina (1976-1984), Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, North Carolina (1984-1990) and finally at the Country Club of Petersburg in Virginia (1990-2005). Tennis events Jim was associated with included the Prep-League Championship, League of Independent Schools, Woodbury Forest Team Invitational, VISAA Male State Championship Divisions A and B and VHSL Girls Team and Individual Championship. Jim felt it was a great privilege to be associated with these fine schools. Jim's accomplishments in tennis were numerous and the ones listed here are just a few. He held state titles as a player in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, sectional titles in the USTA Southern and Mid-Atlantic Sections and national titles as well. In addition, Jim received numerous awards for his service to the game of tennis. These included the UTSA Facilities Award, Virginia Tennis Association Tournament of the Year Award for the BB&T Invitational, UTSA Tournament Director of the Year Award - Virginia, CVITT Isie Oppleman Sportsmanship Award and an award from the American Cancer Society for fundraising on their behalf. Jim felt that his greatest accomplishment in life was meeting and marrying Delanie, his partner of 38 years and having two wonderful sons, Sam and Syd. As Jim got older, family meant everything to him. He had learned life's most important lesson; hold close the ones you love. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society athttps://www.cancer.org.