Donald Dee Mccluskey Obituary

Donald Dee Mccluskey attended Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, OR. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Donald Dee Mccluskey.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Passing	Sep 10, 2001
About	Donald Dee McCluskey of Milwaukie, formerly of Springfield, died Sept. 10 of complications from Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 70. McCluskey was born Nov. 15, 1931, in Pawhuska, Okla. He moved with his family to Springfield in 1945 and graduated from Springfield High School in 1949. McCluskey received a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Oregon in 1954. He worked for Pacific Power in Springfield before beginning a 33-year teaching/coaching career. He spent consecutive one-year basketball coaching stints in Gates, Mill City and Prospect before accepting a position at Elmira High School, where he worked for six years and led the basketball team to a Class 2-A state championship in 1964. In 1965, McCluskey received a master's degree in physical education from the UO and accepted a coaching position at Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie. His calm and collected approach to teaching fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship helped the team maintain a 19-year run of league and district titles and capture five state championships. McCluskey also coached the high school's baseball and football teams. He served as the school's athletic director for five years before retiring in 1988. After his retirement, McCluskey served as a volunteer high school track official and as an official at Clackamas Community College's sports events. This past spring, Putnam High School dedicated the McCluskey/Bethke Athletic Complex in honor of McCluskey and his longtime assistant, Randy Bethke. He was an avid Duck fan, and he enjoyed fishing, camping, golf, and traveling. McCluskey especially enjoyed attending Putnam games and his sheepdog, Lucy. He was a member of the Milwaukie Lutheran Church for 37 years. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Dolores; two daughters, Valerie Grady of Snohomish, Wash., and Lori McKenzie of Lake Stevens, Wash.; a sister, Lillian Walston of Woodburry, Minn.; three brothers, Jim of Eugene, Delbert of Covington, Wash., and John of Tacoma; and one grandchild. A memorial service was held at the Milwaukie Lutheran Church. Peake Memorial Chapel in Milwaukie is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Don McCluskey Memorial Fund at Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie or to the Endowment Fund at the Milwaukie Lutheran Church.