Daniel Lee Dearinger

DANIEL LEE DEARINGER
August 11, 1947 ˜ July 2, 2023

Our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, brother, teacher, and coach passed away on July 2. We can’t even count the thousands of students, staff, parents, baseball and football players he influenced over his 39 years of teaching and coaching in the Vancouver School District. He was not just successful; he was ’significant.’ Once you met Big D, your life would never be the same. He had high expectations for his students and players and wasn’t afraid to push them to ’step up to the plate’ in the classroom, on the playing field, and in life.
Born in Vancouver, WA, on Aug. 11, 1947 to Asa and Celia Dearinger, he was outnumbered by his three sisters; Dona Stringfellow, Cheryl Hancuff (Roger) and Jane Hutchinson (David). He found his love of sports (especially baseball) at a young age while attending Washington Elementary, then Lewis Junior High and Hudson’s Bay High School. He played both football and baseball throughout his school years, but also used his great voice and acting skills to take part in school musicals. He was the male lead in both Music Man and South Pacific back in 1964 and 1965. After college, he made his home back here in Vancouver and used that beautiful voice to praise The Lord in our church choirs. He especially loved performing in the traditional Christmas cantatas.
Dan earned his BA in Education at WWU in 1969 and then his MA from Lewis & Clark College in 1971. He taught Washington State History at MacHi and then CWP and World Geography and History at Fort Vancouver High. He coached football as a Pioneer and a Trapper. He also umpired baseball games for church leagues and Southwest Washington WIAA. Perhaps the highlight of his career was his coaching job for Babe Ruth Little League. He helped coach his own sons to a 15-year-old World Championship in 1994.
Dan was married to Ruth Moises from 1968 to 1976 and then to Glenda Schweigert from 1977 to the present. He was a devoted dad who enjoyed life to its fullest with his three sons; Jason, Bryan and Ryan. He led the way on numerous trips to Disneyland, national museums and historical landmarks. He loved going overboard playing Santa at Christmastime. As our family grew to include seven grandsons and one granddaughter, he was bursting with pride.
After retirement, his best days were spent buying equipment for, and supporting our sons as they took on coaching roles with our grandsons. He had a special place in his heart for our granddaughter, who is at her happiest performing in musicals just like Grandpa.
A celebration of Big D’s life will be held on Sunday, July 23, at 2 p.m. at Providence Academy Chapel and ballroom, 500 East Evergreen Blvd., #105, Vancouver, WA. As per Dan’s request and due to his love of teaching and his grandkids, in lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Sherwood High School Theater Program, the Portland Baseball Club and Willamette Valley Babe Ruth. The websites will be posted on Facebook and at the celebration.
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