James D. McDermott---RIP

cajunfats said:
Robin, you are correct about Jim's Philanthropy in the Billiards Industry. I can personally attest to numerous times I spoke to Jim about being a part of the Junior Nationals,BCA Summer Camp, and Billiard Education Foundation and even for the BCA National Championships. He always gave, and he gave generously. I had met Jim and Marilyn quite a few times during my stint at the BCA, and I always felt being in the presence of warm, loving,happy people. They reminded me of my own parents.

As an innovator and salesman he had the respect of his peers within the industry. I agree that not only an entry within the Hall of Fame, but I would desire to see the BCA make a special award in the name of Jim and Marilyn McDermott. Pick a Category,...I'm sure it would be appropriate.

God Bless.
Click to expand...

Nice post....from the Midwest Jim showed us all what a class act he truly was. When I think of em, I can see that welcoming :)mile he always had. Truly an important cog in the wheel of the billiard community. I'm glad I got to have known him.
 
Last edited:
Rockin' Robin said:
It is with great regret and sadness that the very first thread I have started on this site was to report the death of cuemaker Jim McDermott.

It was only a week ago I was in Wisconsin to attend the funeral of his wife Marilyn. He is now joining her once again.
Click to expand...


This is really sad. My condolences to his family and friends.

I think it was in the late 70's that I became aware of McDermott Cues by way of one of their brochures. I picked up the phone and called them and spoke to Jim. Just like with my Meucci, I told Jim that I wanted to try one of his cues but didn't see one that I liked in the brochure. So he said, "So what would you like?" And I went down the line: this joint, those rings, these points, that wrap, and one of those inlays. There was a pause at the other end of the line and finally Jim said, "That'll be a good looking cue. You should design pool cues." And we both laughed. A couple of months later I had the cue in hand and it is still gorgeous.

Thanks and Godspeed, Jim.

Lou Figueroa
 
Aw, I hate to hear this. I was lucky enough to meet the McDermotts and visit Jim in the shop on several occasions when I lived in Milwaukee in the early 80's. Great people.

Jim allowed me to be a judge for the trick shot competition during the first McDermott Masters - won by our own Bushwhacker!!

Scott
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0007.jpg
    IMG_0007.jpg
    104.5 KB · Views: 268
RIP Mr. McDermott, and your lovely wife, as well.

You have left your beautiful 4-leaf clover mark on the world of pool.

I have a special bushka tribute cue Jim made from a very old blank he found at his shop. I was thinking of selling it - now maybe not.

best,
brian kc
 
God speed to the McDermotts...Very sad news ...

I purchased a D in 84 after my cue was stolen thinking it would be a temp.

Still my daily player with 2 extra D's for back up...

Helluva cue maker ...Helluva MAN..
 
In 82 I called up Mcdermott and became a dealer.Sold many cues,
never a issue. Dealt with both Jim and Marilyn,great people.Still play
With my c-11.
 
Sad :frown:...R,I.P to both...my thoughts and prayers to there family......
 
Bill...Not to belabor Jim's sponsorship, but it was Randyg, Rockin Robin and John McChesney that made the tour happen. They spent countless hours on the road, for years, to bring tournament 9-ball to far too many communities across the USA to count. McDermott was just one of several sponsors of their 9-ball tour over the years.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Island Drive said:
Sorry all, I jumped and thought it was JM from Magoo's its not, it's Jim McDermott the Cuemaker, he too was equally a Great man and brought the McDermott tour to many of us all during McChesneys days. To his family and friends the best at this difficult time.
Click to expand...
 
I have an old McDermott snooker cue that I was going to give away.
I think I'll keep it in his memory.
RIP


He also made the best cork grip
 
R.i.p.

I never met Mr.McDermott but I know how important he was to the industry and how he built his company up from nothing. In the 1980's I got bit by the Pool bug after seeing the Color of Money, naturally I wanted a 2 piece cue, the 1st. One I bought was a very pretty very good playing McDermott cue.I think it is safe to say the Billiard industry lost a giant. R.I.P
 
Scott Lee said:
Bill...Not to belabor Jim's sponsorship, but it was Randyg, Rockin Robin and John McChesney that made the tour happen. They spent countless hours on the road, for years, to bring tournament 9-ball to far too many communities across the USA to count. McDermott was just one of several sponsors of their 9-ball tour over the years.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...


Thx, I was very proud of won a few of His events.
 
Post

The services will be this Friday, wish I could make it. Jim has a lot of friends and he will be missed by many, especially in his love for racing..he wouldn't miss a race for nothing!

He made a lot of friends all over the globe, he was a really great guy. Sometimes he would invite his friends to spend a few weeks around his shop.
I've heard some real good stories of memories in the short time since he's past.
Sadly most of the guys that behold the story's and memories of Jim and his wife are mostly older and don't care to use a computer to share the good times and story's that he created.
Hope something special can be put together at SBE for Mr.McDermott and his memories.




Rob.M
 
Jim was certainly one of the "giants" of the industry in my humble opinion.

I'm sad to hear the news about Jim and his wife. Jim was very active in the billiard industry when I was developing as a player and actually gave me a cue for winning the National High School Championships and the ESPN World Championships.

Jim was very generous when I signed a cue deal to represent McDermott Cues and I looked up to him a great deal.....Jim was certainly one of the legends of the industry and my condolences go out to his friends and family.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top