Skip Strode's Remembrance

Morris "Skip" Strode   (June 5, 1960 - April 17, 2021)

Skip, after a 3 year battle with Cancer, has entered his heavenly home.  Skip Strode is survived by his amazing wife Ruth and his 6 children, Isaiah 23, Josh, 21, Elijah 19, Ezekiel 16, Micah 14, and Grace 11, as well as his precious mother Leanne, brother "Buzz," and sister Margie.

Skip, a native of San Diego, grew up in a family of 5 under two amazing parents, Charles and Leanne. Skip along with his brother “Buzz” and his sister “Margie”, all played tennis as juniors and were extremely successful nationally.  In 1976, at age 16, Skip won the California State Championships.

Skip began playing on the Professional Tennis tour at age 16 and played for 11 years.  He continued to play pro with his brother Buzz reaching the quarterfinals of the US open and Australian Open in doubles. Skip traveled on the ATP tour all over the world from South America, to Australia, to Asia to Africa. His highest ATP world ranking was top 32 in the world in doubles and the top 89 in the world in singles in the 1982 /1983 season.  He retired from the Tour at age 25.

After retiring from the tour, Skip went on to pursue a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Theology.  After graduation and marrying Ruth, they returned to San Diego to raise their family.  Skip passed his love of tennis to all his 6 children and his kids competed in the juniors.  His oldest son Isaiah & Elijah are pursuing tennis Professionally.  His other sons, Josh and Ezekiel are pursuing higher education.  

Skip was an amazing tennis coach and coached all levels of tennis from beginners to Pros.  He was always present with you and often spent more time on the court with his students.  He was selfless and you knew he cared about you when you talked to him.  He was a man of faith and always wanted to take you to the next level as a tennis player and as a person.  

His family has suffered a great loss as Skip invested so much in his family as a coach and a father and a husband.  Please support this amazing family as they continue to live out Skip's legacy:  to be the best version of yourself as you can be.  To love others, to serve others, to be kind to others, work hard and give it your best and invest in the people God has placed around you. 

We will miss you Skip Strode,  until we see you again!