Ron Selkirk, a longtime resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, and a legendary tennis coach, passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the age of 78, leaving his loved ones heartbroken.
According to his obituary page, Ron Selkirk took his last breath at Mosaic Life Care surrounded by his family.
The death of Ron Selkirk has left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and loved ones. He touched the lives of many with his amazing sports journey and his kind nature.
Similarly, many of his loved ones are paying tribute to legendary tennis coach Ron Selkirk and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Born in Alton, Illinois, on January 28, 1947, to the late Marshall and Melba Selkirk, Ron began his athletic journey at a very young age, participating in multiple sports; however, tennis quickly became his greatest passion.
Ron Selkirk further continued his tennis journey, attending Truman State University, where he won the hearts of many with his remarkable performance.
He was lettered four years in the 1960s on the most successful teams in the history of the Truman State University men’s tennis team, the Bulldog.
Likewise, Ron was also the first Bulldog to capture the No. 1 MIAA singles flight, doing so three times, and was a key player on the 1969 team, which came within a point of winning the NCAA College Division title.
For his exceptional collegiate tennis journey and his impact in the field of sports, Ron Selkirk was inducted into the Truman State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
Late Ron Selkirk Began His Coaching Career at Central High School in St. Joseph
Although Ron Selkirk didn’t play professionally, he continued to guide and lead several athletes as an incredible tennis coach.
After graduating from college, Ron Selkirk moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he met and married the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Marliyn Tracy, and began his career as a high school tennis coach.
Ron Selkirk began his coaching career at Central High School in St. Joseph, where he led the tennis team for five years until 1974.
During his five-year stint, his teams at Central compiled a 64-4 overall record, and the 1974 squad was the only St. Joseph High School to win a state championship.
Furthermore, Ron Selkirk, along with his family, then moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he had the opportunity to become the director of tennis and head tennis pro at Wood Lake Racquet Club.
Additionally, Ron coached tennis for two years at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, and both of his teams finished second in the North Central Conference.
He also coached the O’Gorman Catholic High School tennis team to the South Dakota state title and was named the Outstanding South Dakota High School Coach twice for his indescribable contribution.
After a successful career in Sioux Falls, Ron Selkirk returned to St. Joseph in 1980 to become head pro and manager of the St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Club.
He also served as the head coach of Griffon Tennis from 2006 to 2013.
Ron Selkirk dedicated six decades of his life to tennis, serving as a legendary coach and athlete. His contribution to the community will always be remembered.
He was not just an amazing coach and athlete but also a devoted family man who loved spending time with his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren.
In addition to his longtime wife, Marilyn Tracy Selkirk, Ron Selkirk is survived by his four sons, Geoffrey, Jay (Laura), Adam (Katie), and Scott( Sara), ten grandchildren, Jeremy, Ethan, Ryan, Leyton, Reed, Sawyer, Elliott, Ferris, Dawson, and Lucy Selkirk, and the entire family.
Funeral and memorial services will be held on Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church, 207 N. 7th St., St. Joseph, MO. The family will gather with friends after the service until 2:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, Second Harvest Food Bank, or Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Two players from Ron Selkirk’s Augustana College team qualified for the NCAA Division II championships during his tenure.
- Ron was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Marshall Jr., and a sister, Sharon Bechtold.
