Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss has passed away at the age of 80 Monday morning after battling with cancer.
Buss, longtime owner of the storied NBA franchise, was dealing with multiple health issues over the past few years. He was recently admitted to the hospital at different times for different cases of severe dehydration and blood clots in 2012.
In August of 2012, he underwent surgery for undisclosed reasons, but now it appears it may have been cancer related. Daughter and Lakers Executive, Jeanie Buss, commented on her father's surgery claiming everything went well and that he was "pumped" for the upcoming Lakers season after acquiring superstars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.
The Lakers issued the following press release regarding the passing of Buss:
El SEGUNDO - Dr. Jerry Buss, longtime owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away today at 5:55 am after a long illness. He was 80 years old.
"We not only have lost our cherished father, but a beloved man of our community and a person respected by the world basketball community," a statement released on behalf of the Buss family said.
Dr. Buss had been hospitalized much of the past 18 months in a battle which "showed his amazing strength and will to live. It was our father's often stated desire and expectation that the Lakers remain in the Buss family. The Lakers have been our lives as well and we will honor his wish and do everything in our power to continue his unparalleled legacy," the statement concluded.
He is survived by sons Johnny, Jim, Joey and Jesse and daughters Jeanie Buss and Janie Drexel, all of Southern California; eight grandchildren; former wife JoAnn of Las Vegas; half sister Susan Hall of Phoenix; half brother Micky Brown of Scottsdale; and stepbrother Jim Brown of Star Valley, Wyoming.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lakers Youth Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.
