It is R.I.P. City in the Pacific Northwest.

Anyone who has been a Pacific Northwest native will certainly know the name Jack Ramsey, even if you weren't a basketball fan, you knew this guy did something no other Trailblazer coach has done, brought an NBA championship to the Rose City and all those that followed the team from Coos Bay, Oregon to Missoula, Montana.

This morning, as I follow the Portland Trailblazer feed on Facebook, the news came early about Coach Jack Ramsay, after his years with Portland, he went on to broadcasting, worked with ESPN as his latest broadcast venture. He had a life many of us sports fans and more over Blazer fans could dream of.

I for one, will always remember 1977 the NBA playoffs, The Blazers taking on Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers, the day they won the championship, I was in a store watching it on TV's in the electronics department at some store with my dad, we were in Roseburg waiting to go to my step brother's commencement. The cheers coming from all over the store was exciting, we won the championship! It felt good to see that team win, Marice Lucas, Bobby Gross, Lionel Hollins, Dave Twardzick, and Big Red Bill Walton, what a joyous time for everyone in the Pacific Northwest, and it's Thanks to Dr. Jack. Today is truly R.I.P. City, thoughts and prayers to everyone, everywhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Side note, Blazers won in overtime last night in the Moda Center, former Rose Garden, to take a 3 to 1 lead in the best of seven series against the Houston Rockets. I'm sure Jack is smiling down.