John "Jack" STATE

January 3, 1944 - January 6, 2024

On January 3, 1944, John Franklin State was born, and was John only until the Sisters of Providence at Sacred Heart Hospital were convinced he was named for a saint. From that point on, he was Jack!

Jack grew up with his two older brothers, Jim and Don and his parents Les and Leighora State. Like most Catholic kids, he went to public kindergarten then off to St. Al's for eight years. While in elementary school, Jack always considered football his sport. He spent a lot of time at the YMCA where he took up gymnastics, swimming, boxing, and whatever else he could find.

Jack went to John Rogers High School where he ran track, played tennis and finally, basketball! He really did not come into his own until his senior year, where he topped out at 6'7" and about 160 pounds. Jack went on to EWSC in the fall of 1962, finally reaching 6'8.5" where he ultimately earned Honorable Mention All-American status.

Jack was invited to an ABA try out with the Oakland Oaks in the fall of 1967. As a warm-up, Jack was selected to play basketball in Europe and the Middle East for Gulf Oil. A trip, he would have been happy to tell you was an amazing time. Although he did not make the pros, he returned to Spokane to accept a teaching/coaching position at Lewis and Clark High School for the next five years. There he coached basketball and track, played AAU basketball, was a KJRB All Star, and thoroughly enjoyed life.

After earning his Master's at Eastern, where he met Colleen, Jack made the break for the west side of the state to Chehalis where unbeknownst to him at the time, he would complete his life.

As a player, Jack went back to the courts in the '90's, this time outside at Hoopfest with Jim, Dave and Dan for over 10 years. But, the highlight was participation in the Nike World Master's Games in the summer of 1998, where he and his college friends were honored to take second place.

While he had been adding and subtracting from basketball, Jack had quietly been building a tennis dynasty at W.F. West with both boys and girls, one that would continue for 50 years! Jack taught players who now teach players! He was on his third generation of players. . . "Coach State, I think you coached my grandma!" And, tennis will be his legacy.

Jack is survived by his wife Colleen of 48 years, daughter, Kristin (Chris Hutchinson), and two daughters, Leighton and Cleo; son, Kyle (Claire Hewett) and their two daughters, Ruby and Hazel; also nephews and nieces, Mike, Steve and Julie State, and Donna Osborne.

For the past year Jack has dedicated much of his time to fundraising for the new Lewis County Indoor Tennis Facility. He was thrilled to have connected with so many of his players from years past. He was passionate about the need for this facility in our community and our family would be grateful if, in honor of Jack and In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the completion of the project. To contribute, please call (360) 508-6572 or go online to chehalisfoundation.org. A Celebration of Life is being planned later this summer.