COVID-19 DEATHS ROCK SSUSA

April 1, 2020

The first believed deaths of SSUSA players due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 that has killed over 125,000 worldwide, are Ezra Alexander III, and teammates Jimmy E. Walker and James Sutton. Also, family members of SSUSA player Wayne Grimes of Missouri, and SSUSA Regional Director Nancy Allen have passed away due to the virus.

Ezra Alexander III

Ezra Alexander III, 59, of South Holland, Ill., died on April 8 due to COVID-19.

Alexander was the long-time manager of Gray Ghost 50, making their debut in 2013. He also played with Chicago Prime 55 in 2015 and 2016.

At the 2018 LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships, Alexander and his Gray Ghost team won the six-team Men’s 50 AA Division. The team would also go on to win their division in the Original Tournament of Champions to complete a notable 2018 season.

“Because of Ezra’s generosity and loving kindness, I was able to be a part of this great championship team,” said Charles Ocacio, who has been a member of Gray Ghost since 2016. “He will be missed.”

“I was really sad when I heard the news of DD's (Ezra’s nickname) passing,” said Larry Vance, Jr., a member of Gray Ghost since the team’s inception.  “He was the glue to this team. I don't remember how it all started as far as me playing with Gray Ghost, but one day he approached me and asked me if I wanted to play with his team on a senior league. Not being aware of such teams I was glad to do so. The reason I did play with him was because he was such a straight shooter, he would tell you as he saw it in a tactful way. He will definitely be missed. God bless you DD.”

Along with playing and managing, Alexander worked numerous SSUSA tournaments as a director - including the Brickyard Invitational, Midwest Championships, and Northern Championships.

“Ezra and I worked the Midwest Championship out of Rogers, AR one year and he came to the Brickyard Invitational in Indianapolis another,” said Mike Hula, SSUSA Regional Director.  “He carried with him an infectious smile, that seem to be inexhaustible, and being from the Chicago area he knew many of the players at both tournaments. His willingness to help and his desire to learn made him an asset to Senior Softball and a joy to be around at the ball diamonds.”

“I met Ezra a few years ago at a senior softball tournament in Indianapolis,” said Tim McElroy, SSUSA National Director. “Our paths crossed again in places like Lakeland, Lansing, and Las Vegas. The guy always put a smile on my face. I offer my condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.”

Alexander served as the director of recreation and aquatics at the Gary, IN Department of Public Parks.

An article on Alexander appeared in The Times of Northwest Indiana (NWI), Gary parks employee who died from coronavirus remembered as mentor, friend.

Jimmy E. Walker

Jimmy Walker, 67, of Detroit, MI, died on April 8 due to COVID-19.

In SSUSA, Walker was a member of the Motown Stars 60 and 65 teams.

He last played in 2018 at the Bobby Chapp Memorial Tournament with both the Motown Stars 60 and 65 teams.

"JJ was a family man, who retired from General Motor after 40 years," said McKensley Crumpton, manager of Motown Stars. "He was a small man with a lot of power. He was a great teammate."

Walker began playing in SSUSA touranments in the mid-to-late 2000's with Detroit Jaguars 50.

James A. Sutton

James Sutton, 68, of Southfield, MI, died on April 9 due to COVID-19.

Like Walker, Sutton was a long-time member of Motown Stars, playing on the 50s, 55s, 60s, and 65s teams.

Casey and his Motown Stars won the 29-team Men’s 55 Major Division at the 2013 LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships.

“James was a man that would do anything for his friends or teammates,” said McKensely Crumpton, manager of Motown Stars. “If you needed a bat and he had two, he would give you one. If you needed your room paid for he would do it. Didn’t want anything back. James was a blessing to me and his teammates. He will be truly miss by all that knew him!”

Sutton served as the President of the Motown Stars Athletics Association, helping to raise money for scholarships for last 36 years. The association has provided thousands of scholarships to low income students.

Sutton would have turned 69 on April 13.

In Memorium
William Allen Grimes (February 22, 1947 - March 29, 2020) - Brother of Wayne Grimes, member of Antiques of Kansas City
Chuck Keaton (June 18, 1933 - April 10, 2020) - Father of Nancy Allen, SSUSA Indiana State Director