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Gean Plaga Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Gean Plaga
Dr. Laney Nelson
December 11, 2005
Dear Pat, Julie, Todd:
I played for your father for three years both in football and baseball. It seems like I spend more time with him that I did with my father. He shaped my career and my path in life. I still can remember the day he broke the clip board over my helmet. I have fond memories of Julie and Todd running around the baseball dugout. I shall miss him. It is fitting that the stadium be named after him.
Reml Mabus
December 6, 2005
I may have only had the opprotunity to play for him one year back in 1983, but things he taught me then still effect my life today.
Thank You Coach Plaga!
Elder Bob Harden & Sister Robin Harden; Sr. Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
December 3, 2005
We recently read in the Deseret News via the internet of Gean's passing and we'd like to extend our condolences. I first met Gean when he was the director of the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club at 1350 South Main St. in Salt Lake City. I was a route salesman delivering Coca-Cola to them once a week, when he took over as the director (about 1955 or 1956). The former director would only buy 2 or 3 cases and they'd always run out before the next delivery. I remember Gean buying 10 cases out of his own money, so there would always be plenty for the kids. I started calling on them twice a week because with his natural enthusiasm and coaching, he increased the number of 'his kids'. When he started coaching at West High School, it was about the same time I started to referee basketball, so I would run into him when he was a J.V. coach. Later, when I started to referee football and umpire baseball games, he was the Varsity Football and Varsity Baseball Coach - so we 'met' many times on the field of 'battle' so to speak; always competitive, always a hustler, always a gentleman, always a FRIEND. Most of our children have also been influenced by him as they attended West High during Gean's great years there.
Gean: from one old friend to another "keep hustling"!
R. Kay Petersen
December 2, 2005
What a great man and coach. Gean always put kids above any consideration of self. He truly enjoyed his job and the kids he worked with.
He was an enormous asset to West High, Salt Lake District and to every young person he had contact with.
He was a gentleman and a valuable colleague. I was proud to work with him and call him a friend.
Kay Petersen
Principal East High - retired
travis williams
November 30, 2005
Oh what a lose....
A great coach and a great person.
I enjoy'd playing football for him And West His spirit will be with us all forever and I Look forward to running another ball for him when we all meat again.....RB # 34 class of 88/92
Janet #6 Jimenez Reeves
November 30, 2005
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Even though I didn't know Coach Plaga that well, there was always great admiration and respect that floated around the West High campus toward him. I had the opportunity to experience Julie's coaching techniques during her years at West and there's a lot to be said of what I learned from her and how it impacted my life, even today. I often reflect back on my high school day's and I thank you both, Gene and Julie, for your desire to instill countless attributes to all those fortunate individuals you touched throughout your careers. Peace be with you Julie, and your family at this time.
JoAnna Katsos
November 28, 2005
To the Plaga Family -
I am so sorry for your loss. It had been a long time since I had seen Coach Plaga and I had the opportunity to talk to him at homecoming this year when the West High Football Stadium was named in his honor. Coach Plaga was a great coach and person. I admired his will and determination to make his athletes work hard and want to win. I had the opportunity to play softball at West High School for Gean's daughter Julie and she took right after her dad with his will, determintation and temperment to win. Coach Plaga had a saying he would always tell Julie "don't get your dauber down" and she passed that on to me. Thank you Gean and Julie for instilling desire, determination and dedication into my athletic career.
Joyce Liebelt-Stevens
November 27, 2005
Dear Julie, Pat, Brad, and Todd,
I wanted to express my sympathy to you in the passing of your father and husband. I remember the influence he had on you from our childhood together and know of your respect for him as father and coach. I am sorry for your loss.
May you find comfort in the knowledge that this can be only a temporary separation and that his spirit is just as alive as ever. I hope the Lord will give you comfort and help in your times of grief. I pray that you may be at peace.
Sincerely,
Janet Nowell
November 25, 2005
For the Plaga family:
I began my teaching career at West, and Gean was an example not only to students but teachers, as well. My husband John also taught at West for 30 years. I can feel the sadness you feel now and that will be there months from now. John, too, passed away this year after an extremely short battle with leukemia. Help each other, and talk about Gean with each other; it does help. I will be thinking of all of you for some time.
Janet and family
Julia J. Erickson
November 25, 2005
When I taught at West High School, I was impressed with the love and respect the students had for Coach Gean Plaga. They had tremendous confidence in him, too. My condolences go to the Plaga family.
Dennis Knutson
November 25, 2005
My condolencs to the Plaga family. He was a great coach. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Bob Chiodo
November 24, 2005
I wish to convey my sincere sorrow for the loss of Gene to his family and to all of us who played and worked with Gene at West High. Everything I ever learned about footbal as a coach, I got from Coach. He will always be in my prayers.
Donald Gene Holtry
November 24, 2005
Dear Pat and Family:
We would like to send the Family our depest sympthay and love. Gean will be missed by us all. I enjoyed the privilage of be both a friend and an assistant coach. He seemed to always have the winning edge. His teams were always prepared, and the kids would do their best for him. We had a great time coaching football at West together. For me it will never be forgotten. May you feel our prayers at this time of your loss of a great companion and friend. Love Don and Gail Holtry
Frank Cisneros
November 24, 2005
My deepest condolences to the Plaga family. There will never be another Coach like he was.
Diane Quistberg Stamps
November 24, 2005
I remember the many times that I would see you coaching the West High Team and a lot of times there were victories.
I remember the days when I attended West High and would enjoy the Pep Assemblies and the skits the Basketball, Football, cheerleaders, etc would put on.
I never had Coach Plaga as a teacher, but I remember how he treated his students.
May he rest in peace.
Judy Wiscomb Watanabe
November 23, 2005
My sincere condolences to the Plaga family. I am a friend and classmate of Todd's and had the privilege of meeting Gene a few times. Todd and all his friends always spoke so highly of Gene and what a great coach, father and friend he was. He is true "hero" in every aspect of the word. I also know Gene through his coaching rival Grant Martin (East high). My sister is Grant's daughter in-law. Always fun to hear of the coaching battles between Martin and Plaga, but in the end a true friendship. He will continue to influence the lives of those he coached and met. With love.
Brandon R Bills
November 23, 2005
Coach Plaga/family,
im sorry for ur loss coach was a good teacher and a great friend to many students and teachers that knew him i hope that he will always be in our hearts
Linzi Roberts-Peleschka
November 23, 2005
Gene was and will always be the most kindest, and loving person. He would have done anything for his children and his grandchildren. He was my sisters father-in-law, but at the same time he was family to the whole Roberts clan. He will be greatly missed.
Jodi Mascaro
November 23, 2005
Uncle Geano (as Kirk would say). We all were priviledged to have Uncle Gean in our lives...All the fishing and hunting stories are cherished...The kisses and hugs we would always receive when he was around us..That made a big impression on me. Listening to Betty Hap and Joanne and my mom Charmaine about their younger days in good ole Helper reminded me and Kirk of things we did also..Childhood there was priceless..We love you all...Jodi Kirk McCade Amy and Heele Mascaro
Spencer Saito
November 23, 2005
My condolences to the Gean Plaga family. Gean coached when I played football from 1959-1961. I followed his teams for many years. He was an excellent coach, teacher, and person.
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