December 27, 1932 - December 23, 2014
SCHORZMAN, Lee West (age 81) A longtime teacher and coach dedicated to his family, neighbors and students in his native Eastern Washington, died at home on Dec. 23. He was 81. Lee grew up on his familyâ??s farm and ranch outside Odessa, and would later farm there himself for several years. His parents, Fred and Anna, let his older siblings, Ray and Edra, name him, so he ended up Lee West, after a cowboy hero from a serialized magazine. He graduated from Odessa High School, then volunteered for the draft during the Korean War. After a stint of farming, he finished his teaching degree at Eastern Washington University, and began the work he loved: teaching and coaching; following and encouraging curiosity; egging on his students and players and sons. His stayed in the region through his career, first in Harrington, then Republic, then for 17 years in Lind. It could take a while to figure out what Lee was all about. He was friendly and playful, but with that tell-tale stoic core hammered into the children of German farmers. He lived modestly and conservatively, but had a wild liberal streak politically. He couldnâ??t abide any sense of entitlement or selfishness, but quietly loved kids who took chances and stood on principle. He worked hard, early and late, but always figured a quick reading break here and there would improve the final product. His retirement in Cambridge, ID, and later Spokane, looked a lot like the rest of his career. He did some historical research for local museums, and some football coaching and scouting, and continued his dedication to service in the church, schools and community. He is survived by his wife, Claudia; his sons, Boyd, Britt, Douglas, Steven and Timothy; and two grandsons, Ben and Byron; and three granddaughters, Maeve, Keelin, and Holland; and nieces and nephews. An informal memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, December 28, at 1:00 p.m. at His Place Church, 3079 E 16th Avenue, Post Falls, ID. Community Cremation & Funeral Spokane Valley 13127 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216, (509)926-2020 Communitycremationandfuneral.com
