DONALD ZECH

1932 - 2016

Donald Conrad Zech 11/29/1932 - 3/22/2016 Don grew up and attended Sumner High. He attended Notre Dame U, where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Physical Education. He also earned a master's degree at WSU, where he met and married his wife, Carol Langevin Zech, in 1955. Don had a very successful coaching career, with an undefeated 1963 State Championship with Blanchett High School boys' basketball team. He was hired as freshman basketball coach at the U of W. For 21 years he coached the UPS Tacoma basketball team. The most memorable awards were winning NCAA Division II 1976 National Championship, and being honored as National Coach of the Year. Don enjoyed his summers selling real estate, boating, pulling his kids water skiing, and putting his kids to work at the "infamous gas dock". Their home on the Canal was the focal point of family events and reunions. Don and Carol raised 6 children before retiring to Chandler, Arizona. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2015. Their children include Don, Tim, Mike, Steve, Caron, and Linda; with 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Don and Carol split time between Belfair and Chandler. Don took every opportunity to share his faith. In Belfair, he worshipped at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. In Chandler, he remained an active member of the Catholic community at St. Steven's Parish. The family would like to share a memorial celebration of his life: Memorial Celebration Saturday, April 23, 2016, 1:30pm, at Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside, 360-415-1055. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Corps International, 1(888) 747-7440