The Life of Lenny Simpson: friends remember Lenny on and off the tennis court

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Tennis trailblazer and Wilmington native Lenny Simpson has died. We’re looking back at his life and legacy in the Cape Fear region. 

Simpson was known for his work on and off the tennis court.  

The Southern Tennis Foundation posted the announcement on its Facebook page Friday morning. 

“When you lose somebody like that, you just think about all the things you’re gonna miss because he’s not gonna be here,” Lenny Simpson’s Classmate, Charlton Lemon, said. 

Lenny Simpson was the youngest male player to compete in the U.S. National Championships. The Wilmington native went on to found the One Love Tennis program and the Lenny Simpson Tennis and Education fund.  

In October of 2022, Simpson announced he was stepping down as Director of One Love Tennis. He had been battling health challenges since suffering a stroke in March 2021.  

Despite those health setbacks, he continued to share his passion for tennis in the Cape Fear Region.  

His hard work did not go unnoticed. A former classmate of Simpson’s, Charlton Lemon, remembered the person Simpson was and the legacy he leaves behind.  

“He’s done so much for the game itself and for kids, working kids, and teaching them how to play. Ya know, he was a good, all around, good person to be associated with,” Lemon said. 

Lemon said after hearing the news of Simpson’s death, he is going to spend the day playing tennis and remembering the greatest tennis player he ever knew.  

“He was an all-around good athlete like I said and an exceptional tennis player,” Lemon said. 

Lemon said he was especially proud of his classmate for being an inspiration to others in the game of tennis. People like Michael Bowen who is Hoggard High School’s Girls Tennis Coach. He sent WWAY a statement remembering his friend and fellow athlete.  

“Lenny and I shared the same passion and philosophy for developing tennis players-develop their character, develop their game. Visiting him at his house at One Love Tennis, was a black history lesson in how he, Dr. Eaton, and the likes of Althea Gibson, and Arthur Ashe impacted tennis in Wilmington and around the world. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace my friend.” 

– Michael Bowen, Hoggard High School’s Girls Tennis Coach 

We will let you know about funeral arrangements when they become available.