EDMOND —
Eli A. (Coach) Mize, 88, was born September 7, 1923. He died February 3, 2012.
Eli ended his 20-year battle with cancer as bravely as he lived.
He was born near Magazine, Ark. to Reverend William F. and Leona Mize. They lived there until he was about six when they moved to the Elk City, Okla., area where they farmed in various communities.
Eli graduated from Merritt High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radar man on the USS Cullman in the Pacific where he observed from nearby the signing of the peace treaty on the USS Missouri. When he returned, he married Hazel Boyd, then attended and graduated from Southwestern State College in Weatherford to become a teacher and coach. He later earned his master’s degree in Secondary Administration from Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater.
He taught at Merritt, Carter, and City View (near Marlow) where he was also principal, then he was a junior high principal in Marlow. Later he moved to Edmond, Okla., and became a coordinator at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, retiring as the section administrator.
Eli leaves behind a long legacy of students who love and admire him – from students who graduated in 1952 through 1973. “Kids” in their seventies come by to visit him, call him “Coach” with love and respect – and tell stories of how he changed their lives for the better.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, his beloved niece, one of his best friends of 42 years, and his loving wife of 61 years, Hazel.
He is survived by one sister, Laverne Bowen, of Granite, Okla.; one daughter, Sandra Stenerson (Charles) of Bremerton, Wash.; two sons, Boyd (Marella) of Midwest City, Okla.; Brent (Syndee) of Edmond; eight nieces, seven nephews, 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Beverly Starkey, Wayne Burke, and Phil Williams, among others, for all the loving support. Services will be 10 a.m., Monday, February 6, 2012 at the Edmond Church of Christ. Burial will be 3 p.m. at Fairlawn Cemetery in Elk City.
Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Edmond.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, or to the charity of your choice.
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Eli A. (Coach) Mize
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