Obituary of John Bisch, 97
Born February 11, 1928 in Corinto, Nicaragua – Died January 16, 2026 in Minden, Nevada
– Jim was the firstborn of William Stanford Bisch and Marie Agnes Harding. He and his younger sister Cecilia Mae came to the United States with their parents in the 1930’s. He grew up in Los Angeles and thereafter called Southern California his home.
Jim graduated in 1947 from the old Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles, when the love of tennis ignited his life. He was introduced to the game at the Exposition Park courts. Within a year he was playing No.1 singles for Los Angeles City College, where he also lettered in wrestling. In time he played at UCLA after returning from duty with the US Army. One of the memorable stories from his military service was playing on the U S Army Championship Tennis Team that beat Navy.
After leaving college, he joined the historic Los Angeles Tennis Club and continued to cultivate his game. He was a challenging opponent on the court and in the ensuing years faced several of the top players in the world including Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle, Stan Smith and Charlie Pasarell. Like many players of his era he remained an amateur.
Jim started buying and selling cars at an early age. He eventually opened his own dealership Westside Imports in Culver City that later evolved into Westside Volvo, which he owned for 42 years. His “day job” had a tennis component as he was instrumental in Volvo becoming the tournament sponsor in 1984 when the Pacific SouthwestTournament moved from the LA Tennis Club to UCLA.
Those familiar with tennis in Southern California over the last 60 years knew Jim as a player, promoter, leader and all-around supporter of the game in the Southern California Tennis Association, SoCal Section. As a member of the Executive Board, Vice-President, and Chairman of Senior Tennis he was a one man “been there, done that”person when it came to involvement in the sport he loved. Jim received prestigious awards from the SCTA which included Lifetime Achievement in 1998, Senior Service Award in 2000 and was inducted into the Senior Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.
Although he remained a confirmed bachelor throughout his 97 years, he enjoyed the company of numerous lady friends who adored him. He was kind and generous, a gentleman in every respect. With the passing of his sister, fondly known as Petie Johnson, a well-respected Reno Real Estate Broker, he inherited her 6 kids, their 14 children and their 26 children in addition to their respective spouses! He was determined to keep the family close and provided lively family reunions in beautiful locations including: Paso Robles, Yosemite, Ventura, Lake Tahoe, along with several visits to the Alisal Ranch in Solvang.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Laurie Bisch Carrison and her daughter, Lindsey Bisch for their loving care throughout the last few years of Jim’s life.
Jim was predeceased by his mother, Marie Pritchett, father, Bill Bisch, sister, Petie Johnson, niece, Tracy Davis, and nephew, Ray Miller.
Jim is survived by his sister Luann Albertson (Gerald) of Bothell, WA, nieces Cindy Jones (Rick) of Ventura, CA, Holly Miller of Reno, NV, Laurie Bisch Carrison (Dr Dale Carrison) of Minden, NV and nephews Joe Geach (Kathy) of Boise, ID, and Jim Geach (Linda) Las Vegas, NV, and Matt Albertson (Sarah) of Bothell, WA. Great nieces & nephews and Great Great’s.
Remembrance donations would be welcomed at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 909 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, California 91105 or Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, California 91127.
Private services were held on February 9, 2026 at Mountain View Chapel and Cemetery in Reno, Nevada.
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