Jimmy Louis Sinclair I was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on January 13, 1957, to Rev. Willie M. Sinclair Sr. and Mildred M. Sinclair. In 1964, the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Jimmy spent most of his life building relationships, serving his community, and leaving a lasting impact.

Jimmy developed a love for sports at an early age. During junior high school, he played on the Channel 12 basketball team. He went on to attend West Division High School, where he served as senior class president and graduated in 1974. While there, he participated in multiple sports, including football, cross country, basketball, and baseball. His passion for athletics continued throughout adulthood, as he played basketball, flag football, softball, and later developed a deep love for golf.

During his senior year of high school, Jimmy became friends with Celestine Echols. Their close friendship grew into love, and the two married in 1978. Together they had three children: Tamara, Jimmy II, and Atoi. During his first marriage, Jimmy committed his life to Christ and was baptized on December 12, 1985, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Later in life, Jimmy found love again and married Tracy Tischendorf on June 9, 2001. Jim often shared that “it was all about the chick in the white dress.” The two first met on October 23, 1999, at the Wisconsin Center District. Their marriage was filled with shared passions, including Jim’s dedication to coaching high school and AAU basketball and his ever-growing love for golf. Through this marriage, Jimmy proudly became a stepfather to Ashley, a role he embraced with love and dedication. This June, they would have celebrated 25 years of marriage.

As his wife, I was blessed to walk through life with Jimmy—to laugh with him, support his passions, and be loved by a man whose heart was as generous as his spirit. He was my greatest blessing, my partner, and my forever love.

Jimmy began his apprenticeship as an electrical journeyman in 1976 and graduated on July 26, 1980. Throughout his career, he worked for Roman Electric, J & J Electric, the Milwaukee Exposition and Convention Center and Arena (MECCA), and the City of Milwaukee, retiring fully in 2017. He went on to become a Master Electrician and was among the first African-American Master Electricians in the City of Milwaukee.

In 1985, Jimmy began coaching youth basketball, a role that became one of his life’s great callings. He coached at the grade school, high school, college, and AAU levels. Through coaching, he positively influenced countless young men and women. Affectionately known as “Coach” and “Jimmy Jam,” his AAU teams brought young people from diverse backgrounds together for a common purpose. Jimmy received numerous acknowledgments and awards for his dedication and impact on youth development.

Family was extremely important to Jimmy, and many friendships grew to become like family. He shared close relationships with his sisters-in-law: Bennie Sinclair, Karen Destolle, Avera Sinclair, Linda Stephens, Tennita Clark, Tammy Matter, and Debbie Tischendorf. Players who became like sons to him include Peter Fox, Jermaine Ousley, and Antony Fisher. His childhood friends—Duane Gladney, Donnie Hankins Sr., and Johnnie Gladney—were like brothers to him.

Jimmy had the ability to make friends wherever he went. He loved sharing stories. His neighbors in Pewaukee enjoyed spending time with him, along with the many puppies there who became his “belly friends.” He was the dog whisperer of Meadowgrass Circle.

Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife, Tracy Sinclair of Sussex; daughter Tamara Sinclair of Milwaukee; son Jimmy L. Sinclair II of Milwaukee; daughter Atoi Sinclair of Milwaukee; stepdaughter Ashley Tischendorf of Madison; granddaughters Tatyana R. Pearson of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Tauja R. Sinclair of Milwaukee; brothers Willie M. Sinclair Jr. of Frisco, Texas, and Jeremiah Lewis of Ohio; sisters Brenda L. Sinclair (James) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Sabrina R. Williams (Anthony) of Chicago, Illinois; and Mary Sinclair-Clark of Jackson, Tennessee. He is also survived by his parents-in-law Roland and Marianne Nowak of West Bend, Wisconsin; and Penelope and Alfred Tischendorf Jr. of Ossineke, Michigan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tim and Debbie Tischendorf of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Rick and Tammy Matter of West Bend, Wisconsin; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, godchildren, and friends who were more like family.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Dowl Sinclair and Myrtle Sinclair; maternal grandparents, George Williams Sr. and Azalee Williams; parents Rev. Willie M. Sinclair Sr. and Mildred M. Sinclair; brothers Charles Williams, Rev. Bobby Sinclair, and Algier Sinclair; sisters Peggy Palmer, Christine Peeler, Gladys Sinclair, Dolly Woodson, and Margarett Sinclair; niece Rosyln Reed; niece Anniyah Sinclair; and nephew Malieec Greer.