July 31, 1947 — Jan. 19, 2023
A loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend, teacher, coach and mentor, passed away surrounded by his family. He was husband to his wife, Janet, for 50 years; dad to Jennifer (Bryan), Nicole, Tommy (Jenny) and Brian (Whitney); and Papa John to his grandkids, Owen, Brady, Hilie, Brynlynn, Ryder, Lucas, Asher, Aeda and Nash. He was born in Missoula, Mont., he was the second of nine children: Mary, Mike, Bill, Bob, Nancy, Kathy, Tim and Don.
John served in the Army where he earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He came home to earn his AA, BA and two Master’s degrees. For over 50 years, John had an impact on wrestling. At NIC, he won eight national team championships, coached 35 individual champs and 118 All-Americans, had a 304-23-2 record, placed top-3 18 of 20 years, four-time NJCAA coach of the year. He coached high school at South Umpqua (Oregon), Central Valley, West Valley, University and Horizon Middle School’s (Spokane). His record includes multiple teams placing second, third and fourth, 11 state champions and 36 state placers, as well as being named Washington 4A Coach of the Year. He was the Junior Pan American Team, and Freestyle coach for USA vs Russia and Cuba. He recently coached his grandsons, Ryder and Lucas, at Evergreen Middle School, and with his son, Brian, at Inland Northwest Training Center.
Additional Honors include: NJCAA, Idaho Athletic, World Sports Humanitarian (Idaho), North Idaho College, Inland Northwest and the Washington Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fames.
He enjoyed fly fishing, camping, gardening, hiking, spending time with his grandkids and relaxing on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the John Owen memorial fund at any STCU branch, sponsor a youth sports program and support local schools.
Celebration of life will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Real Life, Post Falls (1860 N. Cecil Rd., Post Falls, Idaho 83854).
Please visit John’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
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