Grandpa, (AKA. Jerry Sr.) was the best grandfather a child could ask for. He was kind, patient, and quite the jokester. While I was growing up as a teen, I worked alongside him at the Racketman. I will never forget the short time that we got to work side by side. I just wish I could have enjoyed his presence more while he was still with us. I miss Carol, Junior, and him every day, could not have been more blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family. 

Jerry was a huge influence on me. He was thoughtful and direct at the same time. He attracted great people at Racketman (and I enjoyed working with them!) and touched a lot of lives in the tennis world. I look back at those times with a lot of fondness for the people and things I learned then.

I remember something from Sr. that I still take with me. 

It was a super hot and humid summer day in the Creve Coeur Racketman. The air conditioning units were overcome and couldn't keep up with the cooling inside the building. I was complaining about the heat and trying to find some way to cool it down in there. 

I said: "It's hot!"

And he said (with wit and charm): "It's summer!"

There's wisdom in those two words. Yeah it was the hottest day of the year, but the AC units will get fixed and it's just a little stumble in an otherwise great year. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches. Thanks for the perspective, Jerry!

In the hottest heat of every summer I'm reminded of him.

Jim,
My family and I are so sorry for your loss.  I'll never forget moving to St. Louis in 1991 and renting the house next door to your dad.  I broke my wood racket and had no idea what to buy.  He gave me a number of rackets to try and I purchased the one that had the most appealing colors to me!  He was a great man and I have no doubt he'll be missed by everybody who knew him.  See you at the store!
Doug Druker

Jim, I’m so sorry to hear this. Melisa and I had the good fortune to meet your fine family and start doing all our tennis business with you all in the 80’s. Your Dad was ALWAYS so kind, so helpful, and such a wonderful ambassador for tennis and the STL area. I always loved coming over there just to hang out and talk tennis. Truly a legend. 
We’re most certainly praying for you and your entire family. 
Greg and Melisa Baumann 
Edwardsville, IL 

I have worked for Racketman for 19 years.
The entire Diekroeger family is the best.
Jerry Sr was the kindest, sweetest, and patient friend and boss.  He loved  his family, friends, and customers at Racketman.  He passed away forty years to the day after purchasing Racketman.  I am thankful he touched my life.

      I had the pleasure of working for Jerry and his family for 16 years.  He hired me after my previous employment had ended, so he was a real  life saver to me.  Always kind and supportive, he was above all the consummate gentleman.           Jim Rathbun

Mr. D (as I sometimes called him) was one of the nicest gentleman I had the pleasure of knowing. Always greeted me with a smile. I enjoyed joking with him and spending time with him. I admired him for not only being a great father, but for the close relationship he had with his children and grandchildren   St. Louis was a better place because of him and he will be missed. 

Dwight Davis Tennis Center

OBITUARY

Jerry Wray Diekroeger Sr.

November 2, 1935 – September 1, 2019

Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel

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