Mike Korich

TACOMA, Wash. - Mike was born in Roundup, Mont., on June 14, 1924, and passed away on June 24, 2013. Mike spent his childhood and teenage years in Roundup, Mont. After his graduation from Roundup High School, he joined the Navy (a WWII veteran) and graduated from Montana State University.

In 1959, he married his wife of an incredible 53 years, Sharlene Norman (Shonny). Mike and Shonny raised three children Mikel, Mark and Collin and have four grand children, Jordan, Kristopher, Miranda and Macklin.

Mike committed most of his life to education and coaching, teaching and coaching in Columbus, Mont., from 1950 to 1960 and the bulk of his career in Willow Creek, Mont., from 1961 to 1987. He ended his coaching career in Beatty, Nev., where he coached for three years.

Mike had many passions in his life. In his early years these included bowling, camping, golfing, and attending sporting events. There was no greater passion than his love of high school athletics. Mike coached for ten years at Columbus, Mont., and twenty-six years at Willow Creek, Mont. Mike's greatest joy came from coaching his two sons in basketball at Willow Creek. Mike was was inducted into the Montana Coaching Hall of Fame as recognition of the significant contribution he made to athletics in the state of Montana.

Post retirement, Mike headed to the sun in Nevada and then his final resting place Tacoma, Wash. In his later life, his joy came from watching his grandchildren play soccer, basketball, track and cross-country, a good micro brew and a pull of the poker machine.

Mike's family will remember him for many things. He loved golf, which he played well into his eighties and had two holes-in-one. He had a life long affair with pizza, nachos, ice cream and ginger snaps. He took fashion cues from no one. Mike's signature look consisted of orange sweats, converse tennis shoes and a multitude of golf caps. Most of all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

In addition to being survived by his wife Shonny; he is survived by his daughter Mikel Ross and son-in-law Bruce Ross of Tacoma, Wash.; his son Mark Korich of Chino Hills, Calif., and son Collin Korich and daughter-in-law Kim Korich of Las Vegas, Nev.; and four grand children Jordan, Kristopher, Miranda and Macklin. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers and sisters.

Contributions can be made in Mike's name to Franciscan Foundation (Hospice), PO Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401 or the charity of your choice.