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George Yonlick
Link to Original Obituary |
12/1/1928 - 2/11/2007 |
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Birthplace: Seattle, Washington |
Last Resided in: Bellingham, Washington |
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Obituary |
George Yonlick, passed away peacefully
on February 11, 2007. George was born
to Olga and Risto Yonlick on December
1, 1928 in Seattle. He graduated from
Highline High School in 1946 and
Western Washington University in 1950,
where he played football and honed his
coaching techniques. The U.S. Army and
the Korean War interrupted the
beginning of his teaching and coaching
career as the patriotically served his
country in locations north of the 38th
parallel on the Korean Peninsula.
Upon his return and discharge from the
Army, he was initiated in to the
educational community and relocated.
In 1952 he married Anne Marie, his
bride of 54 years. He began his career
as a teacher and coach in Sedro
Woolley. He taught and coached at
Quincy High School and his career
brought him back to the Northwest to
Bellingham High School in 1961. For
the next 25 years, Coach Yonlick
taught, mentored and directed his
students to excellence. Whether in
understanding the history of the civil
war, or climbing the Yonlick pegboard
of wrestling success, he skillfully
guided young minds through the
challenges of adolescence that they
could and would obtain the confidence
of adulthood. His legacy lives on
through the friendships and admiration
of colleagues and students that has
endured the years.
Constant visitors parked in front of
the Yonlick home since George’s
retirement in 1986 from Bellingham High
are only an small indication of the
dramatic impact he had on those whose
lives he touched. The year of his
retirement, he coached the Red Raider
Wrestling Team to their Washington
State Title. His induction to the
Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall
of Fame was a fitting conclusion to a
career he loved. Whether you were
along side him at a wrestling venue,
pulling a reef net together, sitting in
the hot sun as he caught all the trout,
having him whip you at cribbage, or
just enjoying a Saturday morning
breakfast together, time spent with him
was special.
George Yonlick was preceded in death by
his mother, father, and sisters, Ann
and Dorothy. He is survived and will
live on in the hearts of his wife,
Anne; son, Chris Yonlick and wife,
Tasha and granddaughter, Shann Marie
all of Kirkland; daughter, Cathie and
husband, Phil of Bellingham and
granddaughters, Kellee, Cody who all
had a very special bond with
their “Deda”. He will as well be
greatly missed by his nieces, nephews,
relatives, friends, students, and
recipients of his love, wisdom, wit and
caring.
A Celebration of George’s Life will be
hosted at Christ the King Church, 4173
Meridian St. from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00
P.M., Wednesday, February 14, 2007.
Memorials may be made to the George
Yonlick Wrestling Memorial Fund, in
care of Bellingham High School. Checks
should be made payable to Bellingham
High School ASB, 2020 Cornwall Ave.,
Bellingham, WA 98225-3648. |
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