Coach Don Churchill, age 89, peacefully entered into Heaven on Saturday, January 16, 2016.
He was born on Friday, June 18,1926, to the late Edward and Iva Churchill in Glendale, California. The family moved to San Diego where he graduated from San Diego High School and received All-City honors while winning the League Championship in basketball. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy to serve his country during World War II.
After being honorably discharged, he continued his studies at the University of Redlands where he played basketball and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. In 1953, he began his basketball coaching career where he led the University of Redlands freshman team to a championship. His first assignment in the field of education was teaching history at Coachella Valley High School where upon he was also voted Riverside County League Coach of the Year.
Moving to Stockton in 1956, Don became a member of the inaugural staff at Marshall Jr. High as head of the PE department. At Marshall, he continued coaching where he led the basketball program to six championships with two undefeated seasons. While there, he met and fell in love with Alberta whom he later married in 1962. During this time, he earned a Master’s Degree at the University of the Pacific.
In 1969, he transferred to Franklin High School where he taught PE and continued coaching. His 1975 sophomore team won the Stagg Tournament and finished the season with an SJAA League Championship. He completed his 31 year coaching career in 1984 with Franklin’s Varsity basketball team. Ultimately, he became the chair of the PE department, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1989.
Don was preceded in death by his siblings Allen Churchill and Elaine Paden. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alberta Fedler Churchill, daughter Terilynn, and son Kenneth Scott (Nicole), all of Stockton. Surviving grandchildren are Logan Cade, Kevon Scott, Tristyn Noelle, and Monique Nicole.
The family would like to express its appreciation to Quail Lakes Baptist Church (his church home for over 30 years), the Hampton Windsor Care facility for their many months of compassionate care, and Hospice of San Joaquin for making his last days peaceful.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Franklin Athletic Boosters by contacting Richard Sandoval @ (209) 922-6617.
VISITATION
There will be a viewing Friday, January 22, 2016 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, 831 E. Industrial Way, Lodi, CA 95240 from 1-8 pm.
SERVICES
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 1:00 pm at Evergreen Chapel, Cherokee Memorial Park, Hwy 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi,CA 95240
INTERMENT
Interment immediately following.
by wife Debbie, his children Susan, Douglas, Gregory, SkyDawn daughter in law Karla son in law Gilbert, Grandchildren Megan, Michael, Tanner, Benjamin, Lily his Great Granddaughter Lily, Godson Connor, his siblings Barbara, Beatrice, and Edmund. He is predeceased by brothers Robert, Clarence, and Jackie Ray.He found the many visits by family and friends in recent days a great comfort.
Born in Dexter, New Mexico to William and Mattie Wilson on February 10, 1935. The family moved to California while Woody was young and he grew up in Woodlake, California. Following graduation from Woodlake High School he joined the Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division. Returning to California after his military service he married his first wife Florence and and rose to the rank of Sergeant with the Department of Corrections. Later he began a distinguished career with the California Highway Patrol. While at the CHP he earned a Bachelor degree from California State University, Chico. He rose to the rank of Sergeant before his retirement in 1983 from the Stockton CHP office. Following retirement from the CHP Woody could often be found enjoying the activity at various auction yards in the Stockton area.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in early 1942. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations and was honorably discharged in early 1946.
He spent several years as an employee with Standard Oil Company of California. He attended and graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy in 1953. He served in Kern, San Joaquin and Sacramento counties until his retirement due to job incurred injuries in 1973. Jim then worked for Wells Fargo Bank as a Collections Supervisor until his second retirement in 1983. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling, especially along the California and Oregon coasts. He also enjoyed the Great Mojave Desert.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Ruth E. Jackson, his twin daughters, Judith (Burt) Shook and Janis (Scotty) Reiswig, his step children, Richard (Donna) Webb, Catherine Domingo, Cynthia (Mike) Yount, and Michael Webb. He will also be missed by his 3 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, 6 step grandchildren, 5 step great great grandchildren, and 3 step great great grandchildren.
Jim loved telling stories and making people laugh. He especially liked to talk about his experiences with the Highway Patrol. He wanted everyone to know that he wore out 4 ½ Harley Davidsons at 50,000 miles apiece. He was a great husband and a wonderful father to his children and his step children. We will miss him very much.
He moved his family from Texas to Stockton in 1956 where he lived until 1982. He then moved to Modesto until 2010 and then to Boise, Idaho until the time of his death. Jack retired from Lawrence Livermore Laboratories. He was a World War II veteran and served two tours in the United States Navy. He was an avid weight lifter and weight trained many young boys down through the years. He boxed in the Navy and the Golden Gloves. He loved camping and horseback riding. He is preceded in death by his mother Eula Mae Burch, father John Burch, wife of 55 years Donna Burch, and two sisters Ruth Gordon and Etta Monk. He is survived by sisters Ruby Steele and Delores Whittington and brother Michael Burch of Texas, sons Jackie Dean (Vicki) of Texas, Steven Burch (Hennie) of Oakdale, David Burch (Marla) of Kuna, Idaho, and daughters Patti Solano (Joe) of Newman and Nancy Sudduth (Darrel) of Oakdale. His grandchildren are Dennis Mercer, Shelby Volonte, Jackie Wayne Burch, Michael Burch, Jeffrey Burch, Taylor Burch, Connor Burch, Hannah Burch, Sara Burch, and Abby Burch. He also has 13 great grandchildren.
4/17/1924 – 1/2/2016