The 69-year-old Strongsville High School graduate is a retired Navy captain.
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Now that Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette has wrapped up, all eyes are turning to The Golden Bachelorette.
If you plan on watching this season, you may see a familiar face from Northeast Ohio.
Kim Buike, a 1972 Strongsville High School graduate, will compete against 23 other men who are vying to make a lasting impression on Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos.
The 69-year-old is a retired Navy captain who currently lives in Seattle, Washington. However, he returned home to Northeast Ohio a few years ago for his 50th high school reunion in Strongsville.
“You know life is short,” said Buike in an Instagram video posted on the show’s page. “Seize opportunities when they come. You never know what is going to happen, so if I find someone to spend the rest of my life with and I happen to find them in Los Angeles, why not?”
Vassos was a contestant on The Golden Bachelor, but decided to leave, self-eliminating herself after a medical concern arose with her daughter.
Below is a full list of men who are competing on The Golden Bachelorette:
William “Bill,” 68, a retired videographer from Portland, Ore.
Robert “Bob,” 66, a chiropractor from Marina Del Ray, Calif.
Charles K., 62, a portfolio manager from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Charles L., 66, a retired financial analyst from Philadelphia, Pa.
Charles “Chock,” 60, an insurance executive from Wichita, Kan.
Christopher, 64, a contractor from West Babylon, N.Y.
Daniel “Dan,” 64, a private investor from Naples, Fla.
David, 68, a rancher from Austin, Texas
Gary, 65, a retired finance executive from Palm Desert, Calif.
Gil, 60, an educator from Mission Viejo, Calif.
Gregg, 64, a retired university VP from Longboat Key, Fla.
Guy, 66, an ER doctor from Reno, Nev.
John “Jack,” 68, a caterer from Chicago, Ill.
Jonathan, 61, a shipping consultant from Oakland, Iowa
Jordan, 61, a sales manager from Chicago, Ill.
Keith, 62, a girl dad from San Jose, Calif.
Kenneth “Ken,” 60, a property management treasurer from Peabody, Mass.
Kim, 69, a retired Navy captain from Seattle, Wash.
Mark, 57, an Army veteran from Leesville, La.
Michael, 65, a retired banking CEO from Denver, N.C.
Pablo, 63, a retired UN agency director from Cambridge, Md.
Pascal, 69, a salon owner from Chicago, Ill.
Ralph “RJ,” 66, a financial advisor from Irvine, Calif.
Thomas, 62, a fire department chief from New York, N.Y.
The Golden Bachelorette will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
