Gean A. Plaga

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.

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!

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...

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

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

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...

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,...

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...

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